Derrick Lopez

Name:
Lopez, Derrick Duane

Date of Booking:
12/12/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Disregarding Traffic Control Device – M

DRIVING WITHOUT A VALID LICENSE – M

HIT AND RUN; DUTY OF DRIVER TO STOP AT OR RETURN TO SCENE OF ACCIDENT – M

DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL – M

Reckless Driving – M

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 Friday, December 12th of 2025, at 2240 hours, while working as a HEAT Unit, while in uniform, in my department issued police vehicle, I was requested to the intersection of Montgomery St and Congress St in reference to a possible impaired driver involved in a single vehicle collision.

Upon arrival, Officers on scene had a male standing out of his vehicle, and I was advised the male had driven through the police barricades (metal rod fence) they had set up at the prior mentioned intersection to block traffic from entering the city market area. They adivsed he had driven straight through the barriers, and came to a stop just before the rear of a police vehicle. While observing the scene, the barriers had been returned to the correct position, but the vehicle, a white in color Chevy Malibu had come to rest inches from the rear of the police vehicle.

The male, who was later identified as Mr. Derrick D. Lopez Jr, DOB of [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/1997, by his Kansas ID card, appeared to take pride in the fact that he did not collide with a police vehicle. The front end of the vehcile was tehn observed and there was damage to the front grill, the front bumper was dialodged, and the rear view mirror on the driver side was dislodged and hanging by a wire.

I then went to speak with the driver, Mr. Lopez. I introduced myself and attempted to inquire about what had happened. Mr. Lopez did not provide a direct answer to my questions, but instead stated he as “a little drunk”. Mr. Lopez presented with watery and bloodshot eyes, was observed being uncoordinated, unsteady on his feet, and the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was detected coming from his person while standing outside of his vehicle. While he and I spoke, his hand get hitting the battery of my vest mounted taser.

Mr. Lopez was then escorted to the front of my police vehicle, and instructed to sit on the front bumper. Mr. Lopez leaned on the front, but when asked to sit, he inststed he was sitting, and then when told again to sit down, it appeared he did not understand what was being stated. After multiple attempts were made to have him sit, I continued on with the pre-screening questions. Mr. Lopez was informed I would be going through some questions with him, and then some exercises to ensure he was safe to be driving.

Please view additional supplemental reports for more information, and refere to GEARS Report 251212082 for crash report. City camera footage was downloaded, and uploaded via Evidence.com, along with photos taken on scene.

SFST Report – 251212082

— INCIDENT INFORMATION —

INCIDENT DETAILS

Incident Number: 251212082
Date: 12/12/25
Start time: 10:44 PM

GPS Coordinates

Latitude (DMS): 32° 4′ 49.9593″ N
Longitude(DMS): 81° 5′ 45.9868″ W
Latitude (DD): 32.08054
Longitude(DD): -81.09611
Location on map: https://www.google.com/maps?q=32.08054,-81.09611

Incident Address

Address 1: 37 Montgomery St
City: Savannah
State/Province: GA
Zip Code: 31401
County: Chatham County

Address found using GPS: Yes

DRIVER INFO

First name: Derrick
Middle name: Duane
Last name: Lopez
Suffix: Jr.
Gender: Male
Date of birth: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/97
Age: 28
Driving License #: [REDACTED]
ID Expiration Date: 8/14/27
ID Issued Date: 3/9/23
ID Issue State/Province: KS
Address 1: [2400 BLOCK] N 72ND TER
City: KANSAS CITY
State/Province: KS
Zip Code: 66109-2407
Country: USA

VEHICLE INFO

License plate: [REDACTED]
License plate state/province: AR
VIN number: [REDACTED]
Vehicle type: Passenger Car
Vehicle make: Chevrolet
Vehicle model: Malibu
Model year: 2024
Vehicle stolen: No
Number of passengers: 0

Vehicle Insurance

Vehicle insured: Yes
Insurance company: Enterprise

Vehicle Other
Crash: Yes

— WRITTEN REPORT —

REASONABLE SUSPICION TO STOP

Below are the reasonable suspicions why the vehicle was stopped:

Appearing to be impaired
Vehicle Collision

DRIVER OBSERVATIONS

After stopping the vehicle, the driver was identified as Mr. Derrick Lopez Jr.. While speaking to him, it was observed that a moderate odor of alcoholic beverage was coming from him.

It was observed that Mr. Derrick Lopez Jr. had:

Bloodshot eyes
Watery eyes
Slurred speech

Before beginning the test, Mr. Derrick Lopez Jr. was asked if he had any medical problems and he replied that he did not.

PRE-FST INTERVIEW

Are you sick?
No.

Are you injured?
No.

Are you diabetic?
No.

Are you epileptic?
No.

Do you take insulin?
No.

Do you have physical impairments?
No.

When did you last sleep?
A while ago

What time did you wake up?
Since 0500

When did you last eat?
At a wedding

What did you have to eat?
Sandwich’s

What have you been drinking?
Water

How much have you been drinking?
6 shots

Where did you drink?
McDonough’s in downtown Savannah

At what time did you start drinking?
30 min ago, 2215

Any recent surgery performed?
No.

Do you feel the effects of the medicine/drugs?
Yes. Medication’s for thyroid

Do you wear glasses?
No.

Do you wear corrective contact lenses?
No.

Are you blind in either eye?
No.

Did you bump your head?
No.

Have you been drinking since the accident?
No.

What did you drink since the accident?
No.

HORIZONTAL GAZE NYSTAGMUS TEST

Prior to attempting this test, Mr. Derrick Lopez Jr. indicated he did not have any medical problems that would have prevented him from performing the test. It was determined that he was not wearing contacts. His eyes were checked and they displayed equal tracking and his pupils were equal sizes. Mr. Derrick Lopez Jr. was instructed to follow the stimulus with his eyes only, keeping his head still. After stating that he understood the instructions, Mr. Derrick Lopez Jr. attempted this test. No resting nystagmus was observed.

The results of this test displayed 6 of the 6 possible clues.

A lack of smooth pursuit in the left eye
A lack of smooth pursuit in the right eye
A distinct and sustained nystagmus in the left eye at maximum deviation
A distinct and sustained nystagmus in the right eye at maximum deviation
An onset of nystagmus in the left eye prior to 45 degrees.
An onset of nystagmus in the right eye prior to 45 degrees.

The test revealed the presence of vertical nystagmus.

WALK AND TURN TEST
He refused to do the test.

ONE LEG STAND TEST
He refused to do the test.

PRELIMINARY BREATH TEST

After completing the field sobriety tests, Mr. Derrick Lopez Jr. was asked if he would be willing to provide a sample of his breath using the preliminary breath test (PBT) device. He refused to submit to the preliminary breath test.

Upon completion of the preformed SFS Testing, Mr. Lopez was placed under arrest, placed in double locked handcuffs, searched, and secured in the rear of my police vehicle. He was then read Georgia’s Implied Consent for person age 21 and older with Blood and then Breath being requested.Mr. Lopez answered “No” to the blood test, and while re-reading I.C. to request a breath test, Mr. Lopez kept stating “F*ck you” multiple times. He eventually refusd the state breath test.

Mr. Lopez was then secured in the rear of my police vehicle, and his vehicle was searched. While searching the vehicle, a Glock 42 was located in the center console of the vehicle. The firearm was collected, and the serial number of ACPP382 was run through NCIC/GCIC via records, and the serial number returned as “STOLEN” with an ORI from Overland Park Police Department in Kansas. Records was able to confirm the hit, and my direct number was being requested.

I was then able to speak with Ofc. H. Reed from Overland PD. She confirmed the serial number, and provided their CRN of 2017014099. Ofc. Reed was provided the SPD CRN number and advised the firearm was going to be logged as evidence. Ofc. Reed was able to pull the criminal history for Mr. Lopez. Teletype confirmed Mr. Lopez was not a convicted felon, and Ofc. Reed reconfirmed. Additionally, she stated Mr. Lopez had “lots of traffic violations, but no wants or warrant” at this time. Mr. Lopez had been driving on an expired license since August of 2024.

The firearm was collected, and later logged into the property room as evidence. While on scene, Ms. [REDACTED], the wife of Mr. Lopez had arrived on scene. When asked about the firearm, Mrs. [REDACTED] stated it belonged to Mr. Lopez. When Mr. Lopez was later informed the firearm had been reported stolen in 2017, Mr. Lopez stated he had purchased it from his cousin. No other questions were asked about the firearm, or more details about how he came to acquire it.

It was determined Mr. Lopez would not be charged with Theft by Reciving at this time and to let the Kansas Officers handle that side of their investigation. Ofc. Reed was advised the firearm was going to be held as evidence, and in the event they wanted the firearm, it could be relased to them.

Once the vehicle was cleared, it was released to Mrs. [REDACTED]. She was provided a CRN card, and advised how to obtain a copy of the report. Mr. Lopez was then transported to Memorial Medical where a med clearance was eventuallt given. Mr. Lopez kept asking how much his bond was going to be, and kept asking to be released. He was told multiple times he woudl be informed at the jail, and he was not going to be released.

Mr. Lopez was charged with the following:

OCGA 40-20 Disregard for a Traffic Control Device – for failed to stop for the police barricades
OCGA 40-6-391(a)(1) DUI Less Safe Alcohol
OCGA 40-6-390 Reckless Driving – for unsafe act of the speed, and the continuing to drive after colliding with the barricades and nearly stricking a police vehicle in a heavely populated area, City Market.
OCGA 40-5-20 Driving on an Expired Licnese
OCGA 40-6-270 Hit and Run – for failing to stop after the collision with the police barricades

Upon arrival at CCDC, Mr. Lopez was irate with me, the jail staff and the nurse attempting to clear him. Before the citations could be signed, and the DDS-1205 could be explained, Mr. Lopez was escorted over to DETOX, where he fell asleep. Mr. Lopez was provided his copies of the citations, the arrest forms, and the DDS-1205.

Baed on his actions and observations made on scene, his admission to drinking, his thick slurred speech, his impaired judgement/memory of asking the same questions over and over, unsteady walk, drunk like behavior, and the strong odor of a alcoholic beverage coming from his person, I had no doubt in my mind Mr. Lopez was a less safe and impaired driver, and should not have been in actual physical control of a motor vehicle.

[End of Narrative]