Derek Gresham

Name:
Gresham, Derek Ramon

Date of Booking:
05/11/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL

DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED OR REVOKED (MISDEMEANOR)

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.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on May 11, 2026]

On 5/11/2026, at approximately 0235 hours, I, CORPORAL MERRELL, was requested by OFFICER ROSEBERRY to assist in field sobriety testing of a suspected impaired driver at the McDonald’s on Hwy 61/Commerce Drive.

I arrived on scene and observed a black male, later identified as DEREK GRESHAM standing in front of a patrol vehicle. Roseberry approached me and stated Gresham admitted to last drinking a beer at 3pm on 5/10/2026 but he felt he may be impaired.

I approached Gresham and asked when the last time he had anything to drink. Gresham stated he had not been drinking. I told him, Roseberry told me you admitted to having a drink at 3pm the day prior. Gresham asked if we would cut him a break and let him go home. I told him I would like to do some evaluations to ensure he was okay to drive. Gresham consented.

I asked Gresham to step away from the front of the patrol vehicle. I instructed him to stand with his toes and heels together and his hands down at his side. Gresham stated he had a broken left foot and could not stand with his toes together. I told him that was fine, just do the best that he could. With my flashlight in my left hand and the light pointing at his chest, I held up my silver pen and ask Gresham if he could see the tip of my pen, he advised yes. I instructed Gresham to follow the tip of my pen with his eyes and his eyes only.

I checked for resting nystagmus but did not see any. I then checked for lack of smooth pursuit, Gresham showed nystagmus in both eyes during both passes. I then checked for onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. Gresham showed nystagmus in both eyes during both passes. I checked for distinct and sustained nystagmus, to which he showed nystagmus in both eyes. The last evaluation was vertical nystagmus, he did not show any clues.

I then told Gresham I would like to do another evaluation and to imagine there was a straight line in front of him. He told me he couldn’t since there was no line. I had him move over to the parking stalls and he would not have to imagine a line. Before I was able to say anything, Gresham began walking on the line with his arms raised parallel.

I told Gresham not to begin, I haven’t explained the instructions. I asked Gresham to stand with his left foot on the line and his right foot in front of his left foot. Gresham began making excuses about his foot, being shot in the legs from being on the chain gang. Once again, I asked Gresham to step on the line but he began making excuses as to why he couldn’t stand on the line and complaining about his foot and legs.

I told Gresham since he was having issues with his foot, I had another evaluation we could do that he wouldn’t have to use that foot at all. I brought him back over to in front of Roseberry’s patrol vehicle and began explaining the one leg stand. Gresham again began to explain all of his ailments and why he would not be able to perform this evaluation. I asked him if he was refusing to do the evaluation and he said no, he wanted to do it. I began explaining the one leg stand, when he began making excuses again as to why he could not perform the evaluation.

I then asked him to blow into the PBT, to which he complied and said he would. Roseberry handed me the PBT, I turned it on and waited for it to cycle. Once it was completed, I instructed Gresham to blow into the straw a slow and steady breath, he would hear a click when it was completed. Gresham began blowing but then started blowing out short breaths. I told him to stop and to blow a slow and steady breath until I told him to stoр.

I attempted a second time, to which Gresham did the exact same thing. Gresham then began pointing to his neck, turned around, lifted his shirt and showed me his back. Gresham stated he was shot in those places and had problems with his lungs. After a third attempt and Gresham doing the same thing he did the previous two, I stopped the PBT.

I told Gresham he was under arrest for DUI less safe and driving while license was withdrawn. I placed him in handcuffs, checked for proper fit and double locked them. I escorted him to OFFICER UDOMBONS patrol vehicle, had him sit down in the back seat and read him implied consent from the Georgia Implied Consent Notice DDS354 (05/2019) and implied consent notice for suspects age 21 or over verbatim. I asked Gresham for consent to draw his blood. He shook his head up/down and said I guess so. I told him I would need a yes or no answer, he said yes.

Gresham was transported to the Villa Rica Police Department where he was booked in but we could not fingerprint him due to issues with the machine. Tru-Peaks arrived on scene to do the blood draw. [REDACTED] conducted the blood draw. After it was sealed, a copy of the property receipt (VR-019052) was placed on it and dropped into evidence.

Gresham was transported to the Carroll County Detention Center by Officer Udombon.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on May 11, 2026]

On 05/11/2026 at approximately 02:05 hours, I, Officer Roseberry, was conducting license plate checks at 157 Commerce Drive (Chevron) in my marked Villa Rica patrol vehicle equipped with emergency lights and sirens.

I conducted a GCIC/NCIC inquiry of the license plate on a white 2001 Lincoln Town Car (GA Tag: [REDACTED BY AGENCY] VIN: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]), and the registered owner, Mr. Derek Gresham (DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY] returned with a suspended license.

At approximately 02:31 hours, I observed the Lincoln to leave the Chevron and go south on State Route 61. The Lincoln made a U-turn at 61 and the Interstate 20 east onramp. I caught up to the vehicle as it was turning into the McDonalds parking lot and conducted a traffic stop by initiating my emergency lights.

I made a driver side approach and made contact with Derek and confirmed he was the registered owner. I asked Derek for his driver’s license, and he provided me with an instructional permit. While speaking with Derek I observed the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from the vehicle, and for Derek’s eyes to be bloodshot and watery. I asked Derek if he had anything to drink, and he advised no. I asked Derek when was the last time he had something to drink, and he advised about 12 hours ago.

I asked Derek what he had to drink, and he advised a mixed drink. I informed Derek I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage, and he stated for me to give him a pass. I asked Derek to step out of the vehicle and relocated to the front of my patrol vehicle. As Derek was relocating to the front of my patrol vehicle, I observed him to be unsteady on his feet. I observed Derek to also have slurred speech during our conversation.

I returned to my patrol vehicle, contacted Corporal Merrell Badge #360, and asked him to respond to my traffic stop for a DUI (Driving under the Influence) investigation. Corporal Merrell arrived on scene at approximately 02:35 hours.

Corporal Merrell determined Randy was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol to the extent he was less safe to drive. Corporal Merrell arrested Randy and transported him to the Villa Rica Police Department. I turned the traffic stop over to Corporal Merrell and returned to service.

[End of Narrative]