Donald Burnham

Name:
Burnham, Donald Ray

Date of Booking:
05/18/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
FAILURE TO APPEAR

DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL

OPEN CONTAINER IN PASSENGER AREA OF VEHICLE IN OPERATION

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE

FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY

DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED OR REVOKED

HIT AND RUN; DUTY OF DRIVER TO STOP AT OR RETURN TO SCENE OT

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.]

I responded to the area of GA 34 Bypass and GA 16 in reference to a hit and run. 911 dispatch advised that a maroon in color Dodge Ram truck had left the scene going toward Franklin. I was in the area at the time of dispatch and drove on the GA 34 Bypass and as I approached GA 34 W, I saw a maroon in color Dodge Ram. This vehicle turned right onto GA 34 W and began traveling toward Franklin.

I noticed that this vehicle was failing to maintain its lane of travel and was weaving very badly. I initiated a traffic stop at this time. The driver did have some erratic wheel movements and braking and seemed confused as to how to or where to stop. After a short period of time the vehicle finally came to a stop.

I approached the vehicle and the driver seemed very confused and it took him a few moments to roll his window down. Once the window was let down I immediately detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from within the vehicle. I further observed an open Tito’s vodka bottle in the center cupholder.

I had the driver (later identified as Donald Burnham) exit the vehicle. He had extreme difficulty in maintaining balance to do something as simple as get out of his truck and was very argumentative. I further could tell that his eyes were very bloodshot and glassy and that the strong odor or an alcoholic beverage was coming from his breath as he spoke and his speech was slurred. Once at the back of his truck he used the vehicle for balance.

I asked about the crash and he did say he hit someone’s car and that he left information. I asked what information he left and he couldn’t tell me. I asked him how much he drank and he stated not too much. I did ask if he would let me check his eyes and he never would give a straight answer and continued to try to speak over me.

At this time I placed him under arrest. He tensed up and tried to pull away from myself and Deputy Wheat. We placed him on the hood of my patrol car and were able to apply handcuffs. Once under arrest for DUI, I read him Georgia implied consent notice suspects age 21 or over and requested blood. He stated yes that he wanted a chemical test.

The truck Burnham was driving had a large amount of front end damage consistent with the crash. Additionally a portion of Burnham’s bumper was recovered at the crash scene by Deputy Wood. In the center cupholder there was one empty 50 ml Tito’s vodka bottle and one half full and open 50 ml Tito’s vodka bottle. Bucks towing impounded the vehicle as next wrecker. Deputy T. Wood provided [VICTIM #1] a case number for the incident.

I transported Burnham to Piedmont Newnan Hospital for medical clearance per jail policy due to a motor vehicle crash. While there Paramedic [REDACTED] completed the blood draw at 1940 hours. He was only able to obtain a very small amount of blood in one vial. After this stick Burnham advised he would not consent to a second stick. This vial was sealed and sent to GBI to see if there is enough blood to test.

While at the hospital we waited for approximately 2 hours. During this time Burnham expressed several times that he was ok and he did not want any type of medical treatment. The medical staff provided me with paperwork stating he was there and left against medical advice. I transported him to the jail.

Once at the jail, the nursing staff made contact with Burnham who is on oxygen. She advised he was fine to stay at the jail and there would be no issue providing him with an oxygen supply while in the jail. Lt. Looney stated he has to be medically cleared. I can not hold Burnham down and force him to receive any type of medical treatment he does not want. Burnham expressed again that he does not want medical treatment. I left the jail and transported Burnham back to the hospital.

While enroute Burnham stated he wants no medical attention and doesn’t need any and that he only wants to make bond. Due to knowing he was going to refuse medical treatment and knowing that he would not be allowed at the Coweta County Jail due to this, I issued him the following citations: DUI, failure to maintain lane, suspended license, open container, hit and run, and following too closely. Additionally knowing he would be in need of an oxygen supply I took him home and released him on these tickets with a court date.

[End of Narrative]