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Name:
McDaniel, Jakayla Monique
Date of Booking:
06/28/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI / ALCOHOL / LESS SAFE
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SINGLE LANE
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 June 28, 2026, at approximately 0253 hours, I, Deputy Matt Wilson, was on routine patrol when I observed a white Kia Optima exit the Waffle House parking lot and turn left onto Highway 27, traveling northbound. I observed the vehicle fail to maintain its lane, striking the solid yellow line several times before entering the center turn lane.
The vehicle then turned left onto Lake Wanda Reita Road. The vehicle came to a stop at the stop sign, allowing me to position my patrol vehicle behind it. After proceeding through the stop sign, I observed the vehicle cross over the double solid yellow center line, again failing to maintain a single lane. I initiated a traffic stop on Lake Wanda Reita Road just before Pecan Orchard Road.
I exited my patrol vehicle and approached the driver’s side of the vehicle. I observed the driver to be a female whom I identified as Jakala McDaniel. I recognized her from prior incidents involving her. Additionally, earlier during my shift, I had assisted Summerville Police Department units at a block party on Highland Avenue, where I had spoken with Jakala. During that encounter, I detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her breath. At that time, she stated that she intended to drive herself home. I advised her not to drink and drive and encouraged her to find someone else to drive her home.
While speaking with Jakala during the traffic stop, I again detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her breath. I observed that her eyes were bloodshot and her face appeared flushed and pale. Her demeanor fluctuated throughout the encounter. She would be calm and cooperative one moment, then become upset and change her attitude. Jakala stated that she was almost home and admitted that she had been drinking. She also stated that she did not have anyone available to drive her home.
I asked Jakala to exit the vehicle, and she complied. I advised her that I would be conducting standardized field sobriety evaluations, and she agreed to perform the tests.
I first administered the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. I explained the instructions and asked if she understood, and she stated that she did.
Subject displayed equal pupil size.
Subject displayed lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, indicating 2 clues.
Subject displayed distinct and sustained Nystagmus at maximum deviation, indicating 2 clues.
Subject displayed onset of Nystagmus prior to 45 degrees, indicating 2 clues.
Subject displayed vertical Nystagmus, indicating impairment.
The subject displayed 6 out of 6 clues on the HGN test.
I then advised Jakala that the second test would be the Walk-and-Turn test. I instructed her to stand on the straight yellow line while I explained and demonstrated the instructional phase of the test. After completing the instructions, I asked if she understood, and she stated that she did.
Subject missed heel-to-toe on several steps during both sets of the nine-step walk. Subject stepped off the line during the first set of nine steps.
The subject displayed 2 out of 8 clues on the Walk-and-Turn test.
I then advised Jakala that the final test would be the One-Leg Stand test. I explained and demonstrated the instructions and asked if she understood. She stated that she did. I asked if she had any medical conditions that would prevent her from performing the test, and she stated that she did not.
Subject put her foot down several times.
Subject swayed while balancing.
Subject was hopping.
The subject displayed 3 out of 4 clues on the One-Leg Stand test.
Jakala attempted to provide a breath sample for the roadside Alco-Sensor test. However, the Alco-Sensor was not functioning properly. After several unsuccessful attempts, she refused to attempt the test again.
Based on my observations, Jakala’s driving behavior, her admission to consuming alcohol, the odor of an alcoholic beverage, her physical indicators of impairment, and her performance on the standardized field sobriety evaluations, I placed Jakala under arrest for DUI.
Jakala asked if she could call her mother to retrieve the vehicle. I allowed her to do so, and her mother later arrived on scene and drove the vehicle home.
I read Georgia Implied Consent for blood to Jakala, and she initially agreed to submit to a blood test. I began transporting her to EMS Station 12 on Farrar Drive for the blood draw. However, before arriving at the station, Jakala withdrew her consent and refused the blood draw.
I transported Jakala to the Chattooga County Jail. She was served with ALS Form and her license was taken and placed with the form.
I went back into service without any further incidents.
[End of Narrative]