Rick Rogers

Name:
Rogers, Rick Derome

Date of Booking:
01/25/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
HIT AND RUN; DUTY OF DRIVER TO STOP AT OR RETURN TO SCENE OF ACCIDENT – M

KNOWINGLY DRIVING MOTOR VEHICLE ON SUSPENDED, CANCELED, OR REVOKED REGISTRATION- M

Failure To Carry License – M

No Proof Of Insurance – 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 January 25, 2026, I, Officer Everett Zank, while working as part of a two-officer uniformed patrol unit with Officer Buck, responded to a call regarding a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of W. 37th St. and Burroughs St.

Upon arrival, I observed a gold Chevrolet Malibu positioned in the eastbound lane of W. 37th St., just west of the intersection with Burroughs St. The Malibu had significant disabling damage, and its airbags had deployed.

I made contact with the driver of the Malibu, identified as [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] stated that the driver of the other vehicle involved had fled the scene. [VICTIM #1] described the fleeing vehicle as a red SUV, later identified as a red Suzuki XL7 bearing Georgia license plate [REDACTED].

[VICTIM #1] stated that at the time of the collision, he was traveling westbound on W. 37th St. in the southern lane. As he proceeded through the intersection with Burroughs St., he was struck by the red Suzuki, which was traveling northbound on Burroughs St. [VICTIM #1] stated that the impact nearly caused his vehicle to strike a tree and that he regained control in the median of W. 37th St.

I identified a witness at the scene, later identified as [WITNESS #1], who stated that she had been a passenger in the red SUV. [WITNESS #1] stated that she was unable to provide the name of the driver.

[WITNESS #1] described the driver as a Black male in his 40s, wearing a gray shirt, light-colored or white pants, and a tight-fitting black elastic hat. [WITNESS #1] stated that she had been traveling with the driver to get dropped off at a location on Kline St and then that he was headed back to his residence at Nephew St. and Barnard St.

[WITNESS #1] stated that the red SUV was traveling northbound on Burroughs St. and came to a stop at the southern stop sign at the intersection with W. 37th St. She stated that as the vehicle proceeded forward, it failed to stop at the stop sign located in the median and struck [VICTIM #1]’s vehicle.

[WITNESS #1] stated that after the red SUV came to rest in the intersection, she exited the vehicle. She stated that the driver then fled the scene, traveling northbound on Burroughs St.

At the scene, both [VICTIM #1] and [WITNESS #1] declined EMS treatment and transport. I provided [VICTIM #1] with a case report number card and arranged for his vehicle to be towed from the scene.

During the investigation, other officers responded to the area of Barnard St. and Nephew St. In the driveway of [30 BLOCK] Nephew St., officers located a red Suzuki SUV with disabling front-end damage, including damage to the engine compartment, and all airbags deployed.

Officers made contact with Rick Rogers, who stated that he resided at [30 BLOCK] Nephew St. Rogers was wearing a white sweat suit, gray undershirt, and a black skull-cap-style beanie, which was consistent with the clothing description provided by [WITNESS #1]. Rogers was detained and placed in handcuffs.

Based on the vehicle description, the damage consistent with the collision, the proximity to the scene, and the information obtained during the investigation, I placed Rick Rogers under arrest for leaving the scene of an accident. Rogers was secured in properly sized, double-locked handcuffs. I advised Rogers of his Miranda rights, after which he declined to make any statements. I did not question him further regarding the incident.

A records check revealed that the red Suzuki did not have valid registration or insurance. Rogers stated that his driver’s license had previously been confiscated due to a prior arrest.

Rogers was transported to Memorial Hospital for medical evaluation. During his evaluation, Rogers made a spontaneous statement that he had been involved in a car accident. I observed a laceration on Rogers’ forehead that was actively bleeding. Hospital staff provided medical treatment.

After being medically cleared, Rogers was transported to the Chatham County Detention Center without incident. During the booking process, Rogers was asked by jail staff what had happened to him, and he stated that he had been in a car crash.

Rogers was charged with the following offenses:
Hit and Run (OCGA 40-6-270)
Driving with Expired Registration (OCGA 40-6-15)
Failure to Carry Driver’s License (OCGA 40-5-29(a))
Driving Without Valid Insurance (OCGA 40-6-10(b))

I photographed the damage to the red Suzuki and the injury to Rogers’ forehead and uploaded the images to Evidence.com via the Axon mobile application.

[End of Narrative]