Stephanie Laygo

Name:
Laygo, Stephanie Marie

Date of Booking:
10/14/2025

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

ENDANGERING A CHILD BY DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS – M

Failure To Yield Right Of Way – M

HIT AND RUN; DUTY OF DRIVER TO STOP AT OR RETURN TO SCENE OF ACCIDENT – 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 October 14, 2025, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Thomas A. requested Pooler Police assistance regarding a traffic stop at [1100 BLOCK] South Rogers Street, near the intersection of Madison Avenue and South Rogers Street.

While responding, dispatch advised that the second party involved in the incident was located at 900 South Rogers Street. Upon arrival, I made contact with the complainant, a tow truck driver, who stated that his vehicle had been struck by another vehicle (Mrs Laygo’s vehicle, a white BMW) — the same one Deputy Thomas was attempting to stop after activating his emergency equipment.

I then proceeded to Madison Avenue, where I observed Deputy Thomas had a white BMW stopped at [1100 BLOCK] South Rogers Street. The driver was identified as Mrs. Laygo.

Deputy Thomas advised that he was traveling southbound on South Rogers Street behind the tow truck when he observed Mrs. Laygo exit the parking lot of Pooler Karate. As she exited, her vehicle struck the passenger-side front tire area of the tow truck. Deputy Thomas stated that Mrs. Laygo continued south on South Rogers without stopping. He activated his emergency lights in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop, but Mrs. Laygo continued driving while shaking her head. She eventually came to a complete stop near the intersection of South Rogers and Madison Avenue.

Upon speaking with Mrs. Laygo, I observed a small juvenile in the front seat who was under the age of 14. Mrs. Laygo stated that she was unaware of being involved in a collision and believed her vehicle had no damage. I advised her that there was visible damage to her front bumper and requested that she exit the vehicle to observe it. I also informed her that the tow truck’s dash camera had captured the collision. I asked her how she could not know she was in an accident. Mrs. Laygo appeared confused and slow to answer my questions. I believed she may be under the influence and called SGT Morris to investigate.

A short time later, Sergeant Morris arrived on scene and assisted with the investigation. He conducted standardized field sobriety testing on Mrs. Laygo, after which she was placed under arrest for DUI, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Failure to Yield While Entering an Intersection, and DUI Endangerment of a Child Under the Age of 14.

I read Mrs. Laygo the Georgia Implied Consent Notice, and she consented to a blood draw. She was transported to the Pooler Police Department, where Pooler Fire personnel collected the blood sample. The GBI toxicology kit was logged into evidence locker #9.

Mrs. Laygo was then transported to Memorial Hospital for medical clearance due to the collision. Once cleared, I transported her to the Chatham County Detention Center, where she was released to the intake corporal. She was issued a bond of $1,350 and given a court date of January 15 at 10:00 a.m. at the Pooler Municipal Court.

Mrs. Laygo was cited accordingly, and her vehicle was removed from the scene by SAPPS Towing.

[End of Narrative]