Joseph Hagedorn

Name:
Hagedorn, Joseph Daniel

Date of Booking:
01/24/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
DRIVING WITHOUT A VALID LICENSE – FOURTH OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE WITHIN FIVE YEARS -M

NO PROOF OF INSURANCE – M

DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS – M

DUI – ALCOHOL/CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESENT IN BLOOD OR URINE – M

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

Failure To Report Accident – M

Failure To Maintain Lane – M

Disregarding Traffic Control Device – M

Operating Vehicle Without Tag Or Decal – 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 01/24/2026 at 1711 hrs, I CPL Crosby, J. (PR# 62579) responded to Montgomery St and Oglethorpe Ave for a report of a possible impaired driver.

Upon my arrival, I was advised that the driver of a blue GMC Sierra with no tag and struck a vehicle at Bay St and Fahm St (CRN: 260124060) before fleeing the scene and causing another crash at Montgomery St and W Harris St and fleeing that scene as well. I was advised that once near the courthouse, the vehicle came to a sudden stop and the driver got out of the vehicle and proceeded to start running before stopping. I was advised that he then contacted a business and told someone inside that he needed help.

I was further advised that his passenger got out of the vehicle, ran around to the driver side and proceeded to put the vehicle in park before leaving the scene. I was then advised by officers on the scene that based on how the driver was acting, they believed that he was impaired by drugs. I was then advised that there was video footage of the vehicle striking a curb moments before running a stop sign and striking the front of another vehicle.

While obtaining information, I was approached by an unidentified male who advised that he was in a cross walk when the vehicle ran a red light, almost striking him and fled the scene. I was then informed that the driver of the vehicle who was identified as Joseph Hagedorn by his Georgia Identification card was sitting in the back seat of a marked patrol car but was not in handcuffs.

I proceeded to speak with Hagedorn and when asked what happened, he stated that he picked up an old friend who asked him to take him to a store. He stated that once at the store, the friend got out of the vehicle and spoke with two subjects before getting back into the vehicle. He then stated that once out of the parking lot, the friend then asked him to go to a second store and upon arrival, again got out and spoke with two subjects before getting back in.

He stated that while driving the vehicle the friend then stepped on the gas and grabbed the wheel. He advised that he thought the friend was attempting to set him up to be robbed before he was able to jump out of the truck. I attempted to determine if he felt that he was under arrest and never gave a straight answer, so I took it as he did not feel that way.

I then advised that there were some concerns that he might be impaired and asked if he would be willing to perform a few tests to ensure that he was safe to have been driving to which he agreed. Hagedorn was then asked to exit the vehicle and to walk to a nearby overhang to get out of the wind.

The SFST’s were completed in the overhang so that Hagedorn would be out of the elements as much as possible. While speaking with Hagedorn, I noticed that he was talkative and seemed to be unable to sit still for very long.

REASONABLE SUSPICION TO STOP

Below are the reasonable suspicions why the vehicle was stopped:

• Slow response to traffic signals
• Driving on other than designated roadway
• Appearing to be impaired

DRIVER OBSERVATIONS

After stopping the vehicle, the driver was identified as Mr. Joseph Hagedorn.

Before beginning the test, Hagedorn was asked if he had any medical problems and he replied that he did not.

Additional observations: Subject was talkative and unable to sit still for very long.

PRE-FST INTERVIEW
Q: CPL Crosby, J.
A: Hagedorn, Joseph
Q: Are you sick?
A: No.
Q: Are you injured?
A: No.
Q: Do you have physical impairments?
A: No.
Q: Describe what physical impairments you have.
A: Head injury from about a year ago
Q: When did you last sleep?
A: Yesterday
Q: How long did you sleep?
A: Only a few hours
Q: What time did you wake up?
A: Probable about noon
Q: When did you last eat?
A: The pizza
Q: Do you wear glasses?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you wear corrective contact lenses?
A: No.
Q: Did you bump your head?
A: No.

HORIZONTAL GAZE NYSTAGMUS TEST

Before attempting this test, Hagedorn 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. Hagedorn was instructed to follow the stimulus with his eyes only, keeping his head still. After stating that he understood the instructions, Hagedorn attempted this test. No resting nystagmus was observed.

The results of this test displayed 0 of the 6 possible clues.

WALK AND TURN TEST

Before attempting this test, Hagedorn indicated he did not have any medical problems that would have prevented him from performing the test. Hagedorn was instructed to put his left foot on the line and his right foot in front of it with his right heel touching the toe of his left foot. He was instructed to stand in this manner with his hands to his sides until the test instructions were completed and the test demonstrated. Hagedorn was instructed not to begin the test until told to start. He was instructed to take nine steps along the line in a heel-to-toe manner.

After the ninth step he was to stop and turn around keeping his lead foot on the ground, taking several small steps with the other foot to turn around. After turning around he was to take nine steps in a heel-to-toe manner back along the line, in the direction he had come from. Hagedorn was further instructed to watch his feet at all times while walking, keep his arms down to his side, and to count his steps out loud. After the test was demonstrated Hagedorn stated that he understood the instructions and was instructed to begin the test.

The results of this test displayed 7 of the 8 possible clues:

• Cannot keep balance while listening to the instructions.
• Starts too soon.
• On the first set of steps, he did not touch heel-to-toe on step 8.
• On the first set of steps, he stepped off the line on step 7.
• On the first set of steps, he incorrectly took 15 steps instead of 9.
• He used his arms once for balance.
• He stopped once while walking.
• On the second set of steps, he did not touch heel-to-toe on step 2.
• On the second set of steps, he stepped off the line on step 1.
• On the second set of steps, he incorrectly took 13 steps instead of 9.

ONE LEG STAND TEST

Before attempting this test, Hagedorn indicated he did not have any medical problems that would have prevented him from performing the test. Hagedorn was instructed to stand with his feet together and arms at his sides during the test. Hagedorn was asked not to begin the test until instructed. He was instructed to raise the leg of his choice by approximately 6 inches off the ground.

While holding that position, he was to keep his leg straight and count out loud starting at one thousand one (one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three, …) and so forth until instructed to stop (after 30 seconds). The test was demonstrated to Hagedorn.

After he indicated understanding the instructions, Hagedorn attempted the test and raised his right leg and was wearing sneakers.

The result of this test displayed 4 of the 4 possible clues:

• Swayed during the test
• Used arms for balance
• Hopped in order to remain on one foot
• Put foot down 3 times during the test

Comments: Subject did not count out loud.

PRELIMINARY BREATH TEST

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

At 17:39, he blew into the PBT and the results indicated negative for the presence of alcohol (0.000%).

LACK OF CONVERGENCE TEST

Before attempting this test, Hagedorn indicated that he did not have any medical problem that would prevent him from performing the test. It was determined that he was not wearing contacts.

Hagedorn was first informed that a stimulus would be moved around in a circle and will be moved toward the bridge of his nose. In addition, he was also informed that the stimulus would not touch his nose.

Hagedorn was then instructed to keep his head steady and follow the stimulus with his eyes only. After stating that he understood the instructions, the test started. The stimulus was placed 12 to 15 inches from the bridge of his nose and then 2 inches away without touching the nose.

The results of this test showed that the lack of convergence was not present.

MODIFIED ROMBERG TEST

Before attempting this test, Hagedorn indicated he did not have any medical problems that would have prevented him from performing the test. He was instructed to stand with his feet together and keep his arms at his sides during the test. He was told not to begin until instructed and after the test had been demonstrated.

When instructed to start, Hagedorn was told to tilt his head back slightly, close his eyes and remain in that position until 30 seconds had passed. He was instructed to say ‘stop’ when 30 seconds had passed, after which he could open his eyes. He was further instructed to keep his eyes closed during the test. After the test was demonstrated Hagedorn stated that he understood the instructions and was asked to begin.

The result of this test displayed the following signs of impairment:

• Hagedorn completed the task and stopped after 21 seconds.
• He was swaying front to back during the test.
  Comments: Counted in his head by 1, 2, 3, and stopped at 30.

FINGER TO NOSE TEST

Before attempting this test, Hagedorn indicated he did not have any medical problems that would have prevented him from performing the test. Hagedorn was instructed to stand with his feet together during the test and start by placing his arms at his sides. He was instructed not to begin the test until told to start. Hagedorn was told that he will have to tilt his head back slightly and close his eyes.

He will then have to touch the tip of his nose with the index finger (left or right as indicated) and return to start position. He was further instructed to keep his eyes closed during the entire duration of the test. After the test was demonstrated Hagedorn stated that he understood the instructions and was asked to begin the test.

During the test, Hagedorn was asked to touch his nose 6 times in the following order: left, right, left, right, right, left.

The result of this test displayed the following signs of impairment:

• The fifth time, he used the wrong hand.
• The second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth times, he didn’t use the fingertip.
• The first, third and fifth times, he missed touching his nose with the finger.
• He was swaying during the test.

I then determined that Hagedorn was a less safe and impaired driver and proceeded to place him into handcuffs which were double locked. He was then read the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for Suspects Age 21 or Over and asked for a sample of his blood to which he agreed. He was then searched incident to arrest and secured in the back seat of my marked patrol car.

I then found that the vehicle had an expired registration with no insurance. I further noticed that Hagedorn’s license was expired in GCIC. He was then transported to the Traffic Office where the blood draw was completed.

Once finished with the needed paperwork, Hagedorn was turned over to a Northwest officer so that he could be transported to MMC to be medically cleared before being transported to CCDC for booking. A CRN was requested and my BWC was active during the investigation.

[End of Narrative]