Get notified by email when this case is updated.
The Georgia Gazette is actively monitoring this case. Check back for the latest updates as more information becomes available.
Name:
Blackler, Richard Edwerd
Date of Booking:
04/22/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE
IMPROPER LEFT TURN
IMPROPER USE OF CENTRAL TURN LANE
IMPROPER RIGHT TURN
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 April 22, 2026, at approximately 2333 hours, I, Deputy Eidson, was patrolling the area of State Route 8 westbound near the intersection of South Dogwood Street in my conspicuously marked Carroll County patrol vehicle equipped with emergency lights and siren. While patrolling this area, I observed a white Ford F-250 (MA TAG: [REDACTED BY AGENCY] VIN: [REDACTED BY AGENCY] exiting the parking lot of 485 West Bankhead highway.
While the Ford was exiting the parking lot, I observed the vehicle conduct a wide right turn resulting in it being located completely in the center lane before returning to its correct lane of travel. As I was located behind the Ford, I observed the Ford enter the centerline for more than 300 feet before approaching the intersection of State Route 8 at State Route 61. While at the traffic light, I observed over half of the Ford to be past the clearly painted white balk line. Once the traffic light signaled green, I observed the Ford make a wide and improper left turn locating in the far right straight lane of travel instead of the left straight lane of travel.
I initiated a traffic stop on the Ford for the multitude of violations by activating my emergency lights. The Ford came to a final resting position on the right shoulder of State Route 61 just before Interstate 20. I exited my patrol vehicle with my BodyMIC equipped and conducted a driver side approach.
Upon conducting my approach, I met with the driver identified as Richard Blackler who was accompanied by a passenger. I introduced myself and before I could explain the reason for the stop, I observed Blackler’s eyes to be bloodshot, watery, and glossy which was accompanied by a strong odor of alcoholic beverages emanating from within the cabin of the Ford. While conversing with Blackler, I observed him to be lethargic, drowsy, and fumble his documents. Blackler also had a slur in his speech. I asked Blackler how many alcoholic beverages he consumed to which he stated “not much”. Blackler stated he consumed two alcoholic beverages.
I instructed Blackler to exit the vehicle and when he did, I observed him taking wide steps in order to maintain his balance. While in front of my patrol vehicle, Blackler was unable to maintain balance which resulted in him stumbling backwards. Blackler proceeded to hold his arms out to his side in the air. Blackler advised he consumed two Blue Moon draft beers. I asked Blackler “on a scale of one to ten, one being stone cold sober and ten being the most impaired you have been, where would you place yourself on that scale?” Blackler explained “a two”. I asked Blackler if could check his eyes to make sure he was safe to drive. He consented.
Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST)
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN): 2 of 6 clues
Blackler was positioned in front of my Carroll County patrol vehicle, on relatively flat and level pavement. Blackler was directed to stand with his feet together and keep his hands by his sides. Blackler was instructed to follow a stimulus with his eyes while keeping his head stationary. Blackler advised he understood the instructions and indicated he was ready to begin the assessment.
- Blackler had equal tracking and equal pupil size in his left and right eye.
- Blackler had lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes.
It should be noted, Blackler was unable to follow my stimulus to maximum deviation so I concluded this test.
Vertical Gaze Nystagmus: N/A
Walk and Turn Test (W&T): 5 of 8
Blackler agreed he was placed on a relatively flat and level surface. I explained the instructions and demonstrated the evaluation for the Walk and Turn to Blackler. Upon asking Blackler if he understood my instructions, he advised he did.
- Blackler used his arms for balance.
- Blackler stepped off line
- Blackler missed heel to toe.
- Blackler stopped while walking.
- Blackler conducted an improper turn.
One Leg Stand Test (OLS): 3 of 4
I administered the One Leg Stand evaluation to Blackler. I explained the instructions and demonstrated the evaluation. Upon asking Blackler if he understood my instructions, he advised he did.
- Blackler used his arms to maintain balance.
- Blackler placed his foot down.
- Blackler swayed.
It should be noted Blackler hike his kneed straight up in front of him without his leg being straight as instructed.
Portable Alco-Sensor: Refused
Due to the results of Blackler’s Field Sobriety, the odor of alcoholic beverages emanating from his person, his admittance to the consumption of alcoholic beverages, his driving manifestations, and his physical manifestations, I determined Blackler to be under the influence of alcoholic bevergaes to the extent it was less safe for him to be operating his motor vehicle. I secured Blackler to the front in double-locked handcuffs which were checked for proper fit.
Blackler was searched incident which yielded no contraband. Blackler was seated in the rear of my vehicle without further incident. While seated in the rear of my vehicle, I confirmed with Blackler she was 21 years old or over and read him the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for Suspects Age 21 and over (DDS-354, 05/2019) verbatim, requesting a state administered chemical test of his blood. Blackler consented.
The Ford was searched incident to arrest and towed by Affordable towing.
Blackler was transported to the Carroll County Jail where Blackler was booked-in, fingerprinted, and issued citations O.C.G.A. 40-6-391, O.C.G.A. 40-48, O.C.G.A. 40-6-120 A2, O.C.G.A. 40-6-126, and O.C.G.A. 40-6-120A1. While at the jail, [REDACTED] with True Peaks arrived and drew Blackler’s blood. Blackler’s blood was securely placed into evidence. Both court and violator copies of the citations were placed in Blackler’s property in the jail.
[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:
6/19/26
APPEARANCE BOND SET FOR RICHARD EDWERD BLACKLER
What this means: An appearance bond of $4,500 was issued in Carroll County for Richard Edwerd Blackler. A bond is a financial guarantee that the defendant will return to court as required. The bond was approved by Terry E. Langley and signed through the Carroll County court. This allowed Blackler to be released from custody while the case moves forward, rather than remaining jailed while awaiting trial.
6/19/26
ACCUSATION FILED — FIVE CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST RICHARD EDWERD BLACKLER IN CARROLL STATE COURT
What this means: The State of Georgia formally filed an accusation — a charging document — against Richard Edwerd Blackler in the State Court of Carroll County under Case No. STM2026002951. An accusation is how the State officially puts charges on record in state court without going through a grand jury. Blackler is accused of five offenses: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence (less safe), Failure to Maintain Lane, Improper Use of a Central Turn Lane, and Improper Left Turn. These are allegations only. The document was filed with the Clerk of State Court of Carroll County.
6/23/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR RICHARD EDWERD BLACKLER
What this means: Attorney Alasia Dalton, of Atlanta, Georgia, formally entered her appearance as counsel for Richard Edwerd Blackler in Carroll State Court, Case No. STM2026002951. This means Dalton is now the attorney of record representing Blackler in this case. Along with entering her appearance, Dalton filed a demand for statutory discovery — a formal request requiring the State to turn over evidence it plans to use, including the accusation, witness lists, recorded statements, and any arrest reports or chemical test results related to the DUI charges.
6/23/26
RICHARD EDWERD BLACKLER WAIVES FORMAL ARRAIGNMENT, ENTERS NOT GUILTY PLEA
What this means: Through his attorney Alasia Dalton, Richard Edwerd Blackler waived — meaning voluntarily gave up — his right to a formal arraignment hearing in Carroll State Court, Case No. STM2026002951. At an arraignment, a defendant is formally read the charges and asked to enter a plea. By waiving it, Blackler skipped that hearing and entered a plea of not guilty on the record without appearing in court for that purpose. This is a routine step and does not affect the presumption of innocence.
7/8/26
ARRAIGNMENT CALENDAR CALL SCHEDULED
What this means: An arraignment calendar call was scheduled in Carroll State Court for Richard Edwerd Blackler on July 8, 2026 at 1:30 PM. Because Blackler already filed a waiver of arraignment on June 23, 2026, this calendar entry likely reflects an administrative scheduling item tied to that earlier filing. The case continues under Case No. STM2026002951.
9/10/26
STATUS HEARING SCHEDULED FOR RICHARD EDWERD BLACKLER
What this means: A status hearing was scheduled in Carroll State Court for Richard Edwerd Blackler on September 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM under Case No. STM2026002951. A status hearing is a court appearance where the judge checks on the progress of the case, confirms that both sides are ready to move forward, and may address any pending motions or discovery issues. This is a routine procedural step in a criminal case.