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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]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
6/27/26
AMANDA CHELSEANNE LEDFORD ARRESTED AND BOOKED IN FLOYD COUNTY
What this means: Amanda Chelseanne Ledford was arrested and booked into the Floyd County jail on June 27, 2026. At the time of booking, she was facing charges including fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, driving under the influence of alcohol, hit and run, reckless driving, improper turn, and open container violation — all allegedly occurring on or about that same date. A $10,000 property bond through Bond James Bond, Inc. was secured, allowing her to be released from custody while the case moved forward.
9/4/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 7 COUNTS FILED AGAINST AMANDA CHELSEANNE LEDFORD
What this means: A Floyd County grand jury formally indicted Amanda Chelseanne Ledford on September 4, 2026, under case number 26CR01548-4 in Floyd County Superior Court. District Attorney Leigh E. Patterson’s office presented the case. The grand jury returned a “true bill,” meaning they found enough evidence for the case to proceed to Superior Court. The indictment contains seven counts covering events alleged to have occurred on or about June 27, 2026, in Floyd County.
Count 1 charges Amanda Chelseanne Ledford with Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, a felony under O.C.G.A. 40-6-395(a). She is accused of willfully failing to stop her vehicle when signaled by a Rome Police Department officer, allegedly driving in excess of 55 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone while other motorists were present, placing the public at risk of serious injury.
Count 2 charges Amanda Chelseanne Ledford with Hit and Run, a misdemeanor under O.C.G.A. 40-6-270. She is accused of being involved in an accident at the intersection of Shorter Avenue and Horseleg Creek Road that resulted in damage to another vehicle, and allegedly failing to stop, remain at the scene, or return to the scene as required by law.
Count 3 charges Amanda Chelseanne Ledford with Improper Turn at Intersection, a misdemeanor under O.C.G.A. 40-6-120. She is accused of failing to keep her Honda Accord as close as practicable to the right-hand curb while making a right turn from Shorter Avenue onto Horseleg Creek Road.
Count 4 charges Amanda Chelseanne Ledford with Driving Under the Influence (Less Safe — Alcohol), a misdemeanor under O.C.G.A. 40-6-391(a)(1). She is accused of operating a Honda Accord while under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it was less safe for her to drive.
Count 5 charges Amanda Chelseanne Ledford with Driving Under the Influence (Less Safe — Combined Influence), a misdemeanor under O.C.G.A. 40-6-391(a)(4). She is accused of driving a Honda Accord while under the combined influence of alcohol and Ketorolac to the extent that it was less safe for her to drive.
Count 6 charges Amanda Chelseanne Ledford with Reckless Driving, a misdemeanor under O.C.G.A. 40-6-390. She is accused of driving a Honda Accord in reckless disregard of the safety of persons and property by driving at a high rate of speed and driving through people’s yards.
Count 7 charges Amanda Chelseanne Ledford with Open Container, a misdemeanor under O.C.G.A. 40-6-253. She is accused of unlawfully possessing an open alcoholic beverage container in the passenger area of her Honda Accord while operating it on Horseleg Creek Road, a public highway.
10/16/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR AMANDA CHELSEANNE LEDFORD
What this means: An arraignment has been scheduled for Amanda Chelseanne Ledford on October 16, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Floyd County Superior Court. An arraignment is a formal court hearing where the defendant is officially informed of the charges against her and asked to enter a plea — typically guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This is a standard early step in the Superior Court process following an indictment.