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Name:
Porter, Edward Earl
Date of Booking:
07/31/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI / ALCOHOL / LESS SAFE
OPEN CONTAINER OF ALCOHOL
SPEEDING
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, July 31st, at approximately 0352 hours, while in the area of Highway 114 and Given Street, Officer Campbell observed a white Dodge Grand Caravan traveling southbound on Highway 114 and Given Street.. Officer Campbell observed that the vehicle appeared to be traveling at a speed greater than the posted speed limit, which was posted as a 45 miles per hour zone.
Officer Campbell confirmed this by activating the front antenna of his in-car radar unit. Officer Campbell’s radar unit confirmed the suspect vehicle was traveling at 63 miles per hour, which is 18 miles over the posted speed limit. Officer Campbell performed a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle at that time in the area of Highway 114 and Azalea Drive, where the suspect vehicle came to a stop.
Upon making contact with the driver, Mr. Edward Earl Porter, Officer Campbell advised Mr. Porter of the reason for the stop due to his speed. Mr. Porter stated that he was not from the area and was unaware of the speed. Porter also stated that he had just “left from school and was on his way to an emergency.”
Upon making contact with Mr. Porter, Officer Campbell detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from inside the vehicle. Officer Campbell also observed Mr. Porter to have bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Officer Campbell believed that Mr. Porter was possibly under the influence of alcohol. Mr. Porter was able to provide a valid driver’s license through the state of Mississippi.
Officer Campbell requested that Mr. Porter to step out of the vehicle at that time to proceed with a DUI investigation. Officer Campbell asked Mr. Porter if he had consumed alcohol, to which he denied. Mr. Porter did perform a roadside breath test via an alco-sensor that showed a positive result for alcohol consumption.
Mr. Porter agreed to perform only the “Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus” test but was unable to perform other standard field sobriety tests due to his physical inability. During “HGN” Officer Campbell observed “Lack of Smooth Pursuit” in both the left and right eyes. Distinct and Sustained nystagmus was also observed in both eyes, as well as Onset Nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. A total of six clues were observed during “HGN,” which indicated Mr. Porter’s blood alcohol level to be at or above 0.08 grams or more.
Due to Mr. Porter’s poor driving behavior, his impaired demeanor, and clues from test results from standardized field sobriety, Officer Campbell determined Mr. Porter to be less safe to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Officer Campbell advised Mr. Porter that he was being detained for driving while under the influence of alcohol. Officer Campbell advised Mr. Porter of Georgia implied consent and requested Mr. Porter to provide a chemical test of his blood, which he refused. Mr. Porter was placed in handcuffs, checked for fit, and double locked.
Next list wrecker service, “Gary’s Towing,” arrived on scene to transport Mr. Porter’s vehicle away from the incident location. Officer Brandon Lindsey arrived on scene and assisted Officer Campbell with an inventory search and probable cause search of the vehicle. Officer Lindsey located approximately eight open containers of alcoholic beverages (Four Loco) inside a backpack in the front passenger seat of Mr. Porter’s vehicle. The beverages appeared to be recently opened and were still somewhat cold to the touch and partially filled with alcoholic beverage substance.
Mr. Porter was transported to the Chattooga County Jail without incident. Mr. Porter was issued citations for DUI Alcohol/less safe, Open container of alcohol, and speeding (63 in a 45-mph zone). Officer Campbell seized Mr. Porter’s driver’s license due to the refusal of implied consent and issued Mr. Porter a notice of “Automatic Suspension of Driver’s License form.”
[End of Narrative]