Craig Jay

Name:
Jay, Craig Rogers

Date of Booking:
08/01/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Driving Under Influence of Alcohol

Following too Closely

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

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.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on August 01, 2026]

On Saturday August 1, 2026 at approximately 16:34 hours I, PFC Falcitelli, arrived to assist PFC Roden and Officer Valentine at 595 Riverside Pkwy in reference to a traffic crash that had occurred at the intersection of Shorter Ave and N 2nd Ave, where one of the vehicles (2024 Gray Chevrolet Silverado GA [REDACTED]) involved had fled the scene. PFC Roden later located the vehicle traveling Eastbound on Veterans Memorial Hwy near Riverside Pkwy, initiating a traffic stop.

Upon my arrival PFC Roden informed that the driver (Craig Jay), who he had detained, had stated that he had consumed an alcoholic beverage, with more unopened alcoholic beverages in his vehicle. I then advised Mr. Jay of the Miranda Warning which he understood. When I asked Mr. Jay about the incident he replied immediately “I f*cked up” and the stated he had been consuming alcoholic beverages with a friend and was trying to make it back to his residence. When asked about the crash he advised that he had seen the other involved vehicle (2022 Black Ford F-150 GA [REDACTED]) stopped at the intersection, but could not stop in time to avoid the collision.

He stated he had then immediately turned off Shorter Ave after it occurred in an attempt to leave the scene. When asked how many alcoholic beverages he had consumed Mr. Jay advised only “a bunch”, the stating they were 12 ounce cans Michelob Ultra brand beers. Mr. Jay advised he had consumed his first drink at approximately 12:00 hours and his last drink at approximately 16:38 hours. While speaking to Mr. Jay I also observed he had bloodshot watery eyes and the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person.

I then asked Mr. Jay if he would participate in a Standardized Field Sobriety test which he then consented to do so. I then proceeded to explain the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test to Mr. Jay which he stated he understood. During the testing phase I observed equal tracking and equal pupil size, lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, and onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes for a total of six clues.

Due to Mr. Jay having already fled from the scene of the traffic crash he was not going to be released from handcuffs to attempt the Walk and Turn and One Leg Stand tests. I then asked Mr. Jay if he would provide a sample of his breath into my preliminary breath testing device, which he consented to, and provided a sample positive for alcohol (.265). During the course of all of these events I determined Mr. Jay to be less safe to operate a motor vehicle.

At approximately 16:42 hours I placed Mr. Jay under arrest and searched him incident to arrest. At approximately 16:43 hours the Georgia Implied Consent Notice was read to Mr. Jay, after which he consented to the state administered chemical test of his blood. Mr. Jay’s vehicle was parked on the lot and the keys later given to a family friend at his request.

Mr. Jay was then transported to 500 Riverside Pkwy for a sample of his blood to be collected. At approximately 17:21 hours a sample of Mr. Jay’s blood was collected as evidence, by Atrium Health Floyd Emergency Medical Services personnel [REDACTED], was placed at the Rome Police Department, and will be sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab for analysis.

Mr. Jay was then transported to and booked on citations at the Floyd County Detention Center for 40-6-49 Following Too Closely (R26010153, 40-6-270 Hit and Run (R26010154), and DUI Less Safe (R26010155). The backseat was checked before and after each transport.

See supplemental narrative and accident report for further.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on August 01, 2026]

On 8/1/2026 at approximately 1626 hours, dispatch notified officers of a hit-and-run accident that occurred on Shorter Avenue in front of the Circle K located at 6 Shorter Ave.

I advised dispatch that I was en route to the scene. While responding, dispatch advised that the complainant was following the suspect. I was traveling on Veterans Memorial Highway and made contact with the complainant, Mr. [VICTIM #1], at the Pick-O-Deli restaurant located on Riverside Pkwy.

Mr. [VICTIM #1] stated that he was stopped on Shorter Avenue at the traffic light at Martha Berry Boulevard, waiting for the signal to turn green, when his vehicle was struck from behind by a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado. After the collision, the driver of the Silverado backed up and fled the scene. Mr. [VICTIM #1] followed the suspect vehicle until PFC Roden activated his emergency lights and siren on Veterans Memorial and conducted a traffic stop.

Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s vehicle sustained a dent to the left side of the rear bumper.

I provided Mr. [VICTIM #1] with the necessary information regarding how to obtain a copy of the accident report. He stated that he had no further questions.

[End of Narrative]