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Name:
Wynes, Benjamin Michael
Date of Booking:
06/04/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL
HIT AND RUN; DUTY OF DRIVER TO STOP AT OR RETURN TO SCENE OF ACCIDENT
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On the above date and time, I, Deputy Daniels, responded to a hit-and-run call at 3914 River Place Dr.
Upon arrival, I spoke with Ms. [VICTIM #1], who stated that Mr. Benjamin Wynes exited the bar, entered his vehicle, backed into her vehicle, and then drove away down the street to his hotel. When deputies arrived, Mr. Wynes had returned to the scene and was waiting with Ms. [VICTIM #1]. When asked where his vehicle was located, Mr. Wynes stated that he had driven it back to the hotel and then walked back to the bar. When asked how much he had consumed, Mr. Wynes stated that he had a few drinks that evening. While at the hospital, Mr. Wynes repeatedly stated that he was drunk but did not remember driving. However, he stated that he did remember walking back to the bar from his hotel.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] was given a case card.
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
7/27/26
THREE-COUNT ACCUSATION FILED AGAINST BENJAMIN MICHAEL WYNES IN BIBB STATE COURT
What this means: On July 27, 2026, the State Court of Bibb County formally filed charges against Benjamin Michael Wynes under case number 26-SCCR-479762. An accusation is a formal charging document filed by a prosecuting attorney — as opposed to an indictment, which comes from a grand jury. Wynes is accused of three misdemeanor offenses, all allegedly occurring on or about June 4, 2026, in Bibb County. Count 1 charges him with Driving Under the Influence (Less Safe) — Combined Influence, meaning he is accused of driving while under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs to the extent it was less safe for him to drive, in violation of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391(a)(4). Count 2 charges him with Driving Under the Influence (Less Safe) — Alcohol, meaning he is accused of driving while under the influence of alcohol to the extent it was less safe for him to drive, in violation of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391(a)(1). Count 3 charges him with Failure to Report Accident. Wynes is presumed innocent of all charges.
7/27/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ASHLEY A. COOPER ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR BENJAMIN MICHAEL WYNES
What this means: On July 27, 2026, attorney Ashley A. Cooper of Cooper, Barton, and Cooper, LLP, located at 170 College Street in Macon, Georgia, filed a formal notice with the Bibb State Court identifying herself as counsel of record for Benjamin Michael Wynes. This means Cooper is now the official attorney representing Wynes in case number 26-SCCR-479762, and all court communications, filings, and correspondence related to the case are to be directed to her office.
7/27/26
WYNES FILES NOTICE ELECTING DISCOVERY RIGHTS UNDER STATE LAW
What this means: Also on July 27, 2026, attorney Ashley A. Cooper filed a notice on behalf of Benjamin Michael Wynes invoking his rights under O.C.G.A. §§ 17-16-1 through 17-16-9 — Georgia’s criminal discovery statutes. Because at least one felony offense is charged or alleged in connection with this case, Wynes is entitled under Georgia law to request that the prosecution share evidence it has collected. Through this filing, Wynes specifically requested the opportunity to examine, test, and inspect any physical evidence, photographs of physical evidence, and fingerprints collected from physical evidence that may be in the possession of the prosecuting attorney or any investigating agency. This is a standard step in the pretrial process that allows the defense to review the State’s evidence before trial.