Juan Manuel-Mendoza

Name:
Manuel-Mendoza, Juan

Date of Booking:
11/27/2025

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

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

OPEN CONTAINER IN PASSENGER AREA OF VEHICLE IN OPERATION

DRIVING WHILE UNLICENSED

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 November 26 2025, at approximately 2206, I, Ofc. H. Preacher responded to the area of Farmer St and Bullsboro Dr in reference to a hit and run.

Prior to my arrival, a male, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] contacted 911 advising he had just been involved in an accident at the intersection for E Broad St and Robinson St, however the other vehicle had failed to stop prompting him to follow the vehicle. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that he was following a blue Chevy Cobalt (GA [REDACTED]) as it traveled west on E Washington St before turning left onto Farmer St. then crossing over Bullsboro Dr and coming to a stop at the Chevron Gas station (24 Bullsboro Dr).

Once both vehicles had parked in the parking lot, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stepped out of his vehicle to talk to the driver of the Chevy (identified as Juan Ramon Manuel Mendoza) to which he instructed 911 that he would like an officer enroute due to thinking the Chevy driver could be impaired. Sgt. Warren arrived on scene shortly after and began gathering information from [REDACTED BY AGENCY] before contacting me over the radio to request me to meet on scene.

Upon my arrival, I observed two vehicles parked in the parking lot with a Hispanic male wearing a yellow shirt leaning up against a Chevy Cobalt and a white male speaking to Sgt. Warren outside of his truck. I then approached Sgt. Warren and the male before being asked to attempt to gather the Chevy drivers (Manuel-Mendoza) information. I then returned to my vehicle to retrieve my phone, in order to translate, due to being informed Manuel-Mendoza only spoke Spanish.

I then approached Manuel Mendoza as he was talking on the phone to an unidentified individual, when I detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath before asking if he had his license or driving documents with him. Manuel Mendoza then handed me his phone, however did not appear to be processing the information I was asking him, instead blankly staring at me with watery bloodshot eyes. Appearing inattentive and not fully aware of his surroundings.

Resulting in Sgt. Warren assisted him in locating his wallet on his person before handing it to him. With the wallet in his hand Manuel Mendoza struggled to stand still, leaning on his vehicle to stay still as he appeared to struggle locating his ID, thumbing though his cards, before handing me a Mexican Voter card. I then asked if he had his passport with him in his vehicle to which he shook his head no.

I then began to bring Manuel Mendoza’s hands behind his back to be placed in handcuffs as Sgt. Warren observed several closed Corona bottles in the back passenger/ driver floorboard. He then asked if Manuel Mendoza had anything to drink, to which he did not answer. Once on the cuffs were checked for fit, double locked and he was escorted to the rear of my vehicle where he was searched incident to arrest and placed in the rear of my vehicle.

With Manuel Mendoza placed in the rear of my vehicle, I returned to the car where I located a cold opened Corona bottle in between the front driver and passenger seat, with condensation still observed on the outside. A total of 9 glass Corona bottles were located in the car all still being presently cold with condensation on the outsides. One bottle opened located in the front floorboard, 8 unopened spread across the floorboard of the backseats, and 3 unaccounted for bottles.

I then returned to my vehicle where Manuel Mendoza was safety belted in. He was then transported to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] for medical clearance where he was read his Miranda rights before being asked questions. Upon speaking to him though Google translate Manuel Mendoza advised that he was involved in a car accident and did leave the scene before being followed by the other party. He then advised that he had a couple of drinks earlier, however advised that he was not at fault for the accident. Once medically cleared Manuel Mendoza was transported to the Coweta County Detention Center where he was searched again before being escorted into booking and turned over to jail staff.

Manuel Mendoza was cited for DUI less safe, Open Container, Hit and Run and driving while unlicensed.

The rear of my vehicle was searched before and after transport.

[End of Narrative]