Amanda Ledford

Name:
Ledford, Amanda Chelseanne

Date of Booking:
06/27/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
HIT AND RUN; DUTY OF DRIVER TO STOP AT OR RETURN TO SCENE OF ACCIDENT

Driving Under Influence of Alcohol

Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer

Improper Turn (Improper Lane Usage)

Open Container Violation

Reckless Driving

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 27, 2026 (Saturday) I, PFC Young, was dispatched to a hit and run accident at the intersection of Horseleg Creek Rd and Shorter Ave, Rome, GA 30165.

While en route, dispatched advised that the suspect vehicle was fleeing the scene and the complainant, [VICTIM #1], was following it until I could arrive. Dispatch advised that the suspect vehicle was a white Honda Accord bearing license plate [REDACTED] with front end damage. Dispatch relayed from [VICTIM #1] that the vehicle was fleeing South on Horseleg Creek Rd at a high rate of speed before turning in to Horseleg Estates. Dispatch advised that the vehicle was pulling into driveways, driving through yards, and the driver was a white female who appeared to be in a panic.

As I was driving South on Horseleg Creek Rd, dispatch advised that the vehicle had finally turned left out of Horseleg Estates heading back to Shorter Ave. Dispatch advised the front bumper was dragging and the vehicle was accelerating to a high rate of speed. I drove a short distance and observed the vehicle coming toward me out of a corner.

It matched the description and was traveling at what I visually estimated to be 55-60 mph in a 35mph zone. I activated my emergency lights and siren to stop the vehicle. It flew past me without stopping. I quickly executed a U-turn and the vehicle was already gone from my line of sight. Horseleg Creek Rd is narrow with steep shoulders, numerous curves, and currently had additional motorists present.

I attempted to catch up with the vehicle while requesting other units to respond to Shorter Ave in case the vehicle turned. As I approached Shorter Ave, I pulled up behind the vehicle which was now stopped at a red light due to traffic. I opened my door and yelled for the driver to turn of the vehicle and step out. The windows were too dark to see in.

After more verbal commands, the driver lowered the driver window and I observed the white female. She was looking at me and appeared upset. I told her again to turn off the vehicle and exit. She finally took off her seatbelt and exited the vehicle as ordered. I ordered her to place her hands on the trunk of her vehicle and face away from me. She complied. I approached and secured her in handcuffs. I double locked them and checked them for fit.

I asked the female why she was driving the way she was but she did not respond. I could smell an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her and asked if she had been drinking. She said she had not. I observed that her eyes were slightly bloodshot and glossy. I walked her back to my patrol vehicle to secure her in the back seat. I asked her if she had a driver’s license and she said it was in the center console of her vehicle. I secured her in the back seat and went to locate her driver’s license.

I opened the driver’s door and immediately observed a cold, open Michelob Ultra beer in the door cupholder. I retrieved the driver’s license and identified the female as Amanda Ledford. I returned to Amanda and asked her again if she had been drinking and she refused. I asked her if she would be willing to perform field sobriety evaluations and she agreed. Due to Amanda already attempting to flee, I elected to not release her from handcuffs and I would only perform the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) evaluation.

I had Amanda stand up and face me. I told her to stand with her heels together and toes apart. She promptly did not do what I said and simply put her feet about shoulder width apart. I then asked Amanda if she wore any contacts or glasses and she said no. I asked if she took any medications or drugs that would affect her ability to walk, stand, or balance and she said no. I then asked if she had any surgeries or medical issues that would affect the same and she said she had various knee surgeries but that was all.

I explained the HGN evaluation and Amanda stated she understood my instructions. I then began the evaluation. I observed equal tracking and pupil size in both eyes. During the evaluation, Amanda exhibited:

• Lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes
• Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes
• Onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes

This resulted in 6 of 6 indicators of impairment. I did observe vertical nystagmus in both eyes, which indicates a potential, abnormally high level of intoxication. It should be noted that Amanda failed, numerous times, to follow the tip of my finger with her eyes as directed. She kept looking past me or zoning out. I had to regain her attention and focus several times.

At this time, I advised Amanda that she was under arrest. I seated her back in my patrol vehicle and read her Georgia’s implied consent (DDS-354) for the state blood test. She refused. I then conducted a probable cause search of Amanda’s vehicle. I retrieved the beer and emptied the contents onto the pavement. I located a prescription bottle belonging to Amanda within the center console for Ketorolac, a non-controlled NSAID.

Upon searching this medication on Drugs.com, I found that a common side effect is drowsiness, one should not consume with alcohol, and one may not be able to operate heavy machinery while taking such medication. I continued my search and located a bag of Kratom supplement capsules in a backpack in the front passenger floorboard. Kratom can either cause stimulant-like effects or depressant-like effects depending on dosage. I did not find anything else of note in the vehicle.

Officer Spurgeon assisted me in speaking with [VICTIM #1] while I was with Amanda. I requested our on-call wrecker to retrieve Amanda’s vehicle and he stood by for the removal. I then transported Amanda to Atrium Health Floyd for medical clearance. At the hospital, Amanda had an irregular gait and appeared to have issues balancing naturally.

Once cleared, I transported Amanda to the Floyd County Jail where she was booked without incident. I completed an administrative license suspension form for the implied consent refusal and served Amanda with it. I will be submitting her driver’s license to the Department of Driver’s Services.

Back seat cleared before and after each transport.

[End of Narrative]