Mason Bouterse

Name:
Bouterse, Mason

Date of Booking:
05/19/2023

Reason(s) For Booking:
OPEN CONTAINER ALCOHOL IN VEHICLE

FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY

ENDANGERING A CHILD BY DUI

ENDANGERING A CHILD BY DUI

DUI – LESS SAFE

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 May 19th 2023 at approximately 5:04 p.m. I responded to the area of I-75 N at Hwy 92 in reference to a motor vehicle wreck. Georgia State Patrol advised they were out with a crash on the interstate and needed the county in route. I arrived on scene and observed the Gray Toyota Tundra (GA/[REDACTED]) stopped on the left shoulder.

I approached the driver of the Tundra, Mason Bouterse. I asked Mason if state patrol was out with him, and he stated he was in his vehicle. Mason advised there was no damage to either vehicle. I asked Mason what happened, and he stated they were in slow traffic. Mason was slurring his words as he spoke and began stuttering.

I began speaking to the other driver, [VICTIM #1]. I asked [VICTIM #1] what happened, and she immediately stated Mason had been drinking. [VICTIM #1] advised they were in traffic, and Mason was driving very close to her. [VICTIM #1] stated she stopped due to traffic, and Mason struck her in the rear end. I collected [VICTIM #1]’s information. I collected Mason’s information.

During this, Mason advised his children were in his vehicle. I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Mason’s breath. I asked Mason what he was doing prior to picking up his children, and he stated “working and stopping”. Mason stated he was “just picking them up” from their mother’s house in legacy park.

I asked Mason how much he had to drink, and he stated “no I haven’t”. I informed Mason I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage, and he claimed I could not. I asked Mason when the last time he had something to drink was, and he stated the week prior. I asked Mason if he would provide me with a sample of his breath, and he expressed his confusion. Mason took a long pause before asking why he would do that.

I asked Mason if he would consent to field sobriety evaluations, and he stated yes. Mason stated he was absolutely safe to drive. Mason was medically qualified for field sobriety evaluations. I explained to Mason the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus evaluation. I asked Mason if he understood, and he stated yes. I checked Mason for equal pupil size, equal tracking, and resting nystagmus. I did not observe anything which would prevent Mason from continuing with the evaluation.

During HGN, I observed the following clues:

-Lack of smooth pursuit (in both eyes)
-Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation (in both eyes)

Mason stopped the evaluation part way through and expressed he was scared. I asked Mason why he was scared, and he began speaking but could not finish his statement. I completed the HGN evaluation on my second attempt. Mason had to be reminded several times to not move his head. I explained and demonstrated the Walk and Turn evaluation for Mason. I asked Mason if he understood, and he stated yes.

During the instructional phase, I observed the following clues:

-Unable to maintain balance
-Starts too soon

During the walking phase, I observed the following clues:

-Arms for balance
-Improper turn
-Steps off line
-Misses heel to toe
-Stops while walking

I explained and demonstrated the One Leg Stand evaluation for Mason. I asked Mason if he understood, and he stated yes.

During the evaluation, I observed the following clues:

-Puts foot down
-Arms for balance
-Sways

Mason attempted to start the evaluation before I finished my demonstration. Mason expressed confusion after my first demonstration and explanation. I asked Mason if he wanted me to explain and demonstrate it again, and he stated yes. I did so. I asked Mason if he would provide me with a sample of his breath, and he stated no.

Based on the less safe driving by Mason, observed manifestations of impairment, and results of field sobriety evaluations, I believed Mason to be less safe and placed him under arrest for driving under the influence. Mason was secured in handcuffs which were checked for proper fit before being double locked. Mason was searched incident to arrest.

I read Mason the implied consent notice for suspects age 21 or over (DDS-354, 05/2019). I asked Mason if he would submit to the state administered chemical test of his blood, and he refused. Mason was secured in the back of my patrol vehicle. I asked Mason if anybody could come pick up his kids, and he advised his wife could. Mason’s wife was called, and she stated she could pick up the kids.

I asked Mason if anybody could pick up his truck, and he advised a friend could. Mason called his friend to pick up his truck. I informed Mason’s children, [JUVENILE #1] 15 Y.O., [JUVENILE #2] 12 Y.O., and [JUVENILE #3] 9 Y.O. their mother would be coming to pick them up. [JUVENILE #1] asked if his father was drunk, and I advised he was under arrest for DUI. [JUVENILE #1] stated this has never happened before.

I transported Mason to the Oak Grove Precinct without incident to obtain a search warrant. Deputy Jarratt remained on scene waiting for the children and truck to be picked up. Deputy Jarratt informed me while on scene he located an open container of alcohol in Mason’s vehicle (see supplemental).

While at the Oak Grove precinct, I obtained a search warrant for two vials of Mason’s blood to be secured in a GBI Blood Test Kit (E010833 Signed by Judge Carson). Mason was transported to book-in without incident. While at Book-in, I requested for fire personnel for a blood draw.

I was informed Fire would not come to Book-In, and I would need to go to fire station 11 located 2731 Marietta Hwy. Due to the search warrant being written for the ADC at 498 Chattin Dr., the search warrant was not executed. Mason was turned over to ADC personnel with the proper paperwork.

Mason was issued the following citations:

-DUI (S-012347)
-DUI Child Endangerment (S-012348)
-DUI Child Endangerment (S-012349)
-Open Container of Alcohol in Vehicle (S-012350)
-Following too Closely (S-012301)

I returned in service. An accident report was completed for the crash.

[End of Narrative]