Jack Upton

Name:
Upton, Jack William

Date of Booking:
07/06/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Improper Turn

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

Driving Under Influence of Alcohol

DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED OR REVOKED (MISDEMEANOR)

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 July 06, 2025]

On July 6th, 2025, at approximately 2102, hours I arrived on scene with a two-vehicle accident at HWY 411 and Dodd Blvd. Prior to arrival dispatch notified us that the motorcycle driver fled on foot.

Upon Arrival, I started to assist with controlling traffic in the area. Witnessing the truck and motorcycle that was involved in the accident.

I then talked to the witness who was not involved in the accident [WITNESS #1], she stated that the motorcycle was coming from the direction of Dodd BLVD turning left traveling East on HWY 411 when he struck the front driver-side bumper of the orange Dodge Dakota. She also stated that the orange Dodge Dakota was turning right off Chateau DR SE into the first lane.

After talking to the witness I then spoke with the driver of the Dodge Dakota. [VICTIM #1] stated that she was turning off Chateau DR SE traveling East on HWY 411 when the motorcycle struck the front driver-side bumper. She also stated that the driver of the motorcycle wanted them to help pick up the motorcycle put it in the back of the truck and take him home because he was driving on a suspended license. She then advised me that they did not want to leave the scene of the accident. So the motorcycle driver fled on foot.

See Officer White’s supplemental report regarding locating the motorcycle driver and DUI arrest.

Officer White returned back to the scene with the motorcycle driver in custody. I then read him Miranda warning, he verbally agreed to answer my questions. I asked him why he fled the scene. He stated that he had a suspended license. I also asked him if he had anything to drink tonight, to which he stated no but he did consume about two beers and a liquor shot throughout the day. He was then asked to participate in SFSTs which he agreed to.

After the SFST was completed Officer White told me to place Jack Upton under arrest for DUI and transport him to Floyd Atrium Hospital for a blood draw. After the blood draw and medical clearance, I transported him to the Floyd County Jail.

Jack Upton was handcuffed in the front due to shoulder injuries double locked and checked for fit and searched before being placed in the backseat of my patrol car, which was visually checked before and after transport.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on July 06, 2025]

At approximately 2100 hours on Sunday [JULY 6], 2025, I responded to assist with an automobile accident on Highway 411 E and Chateau Dr. While en-route, Dispatch advised that the driver of the motorcycle took off running saying that he did not have a motorcycle license. The motorcycle he was driving was a 2023 Yamaha MT-03 bearing Ga registration #[REDACTED]. Dispatch also gave out a description of the motorcycle driver and the address of [10 BLOCK] Chulio Rd which is where the motorcycle was registered to. Myself and other officers responded to [10 BLOCK] Chulio Rd and found a male, identified as Jack Upton, matching the description running through the woods. We were able to catch up to him and detain him. While making contact with him a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage could be smelled coming from his breath.

Mr. Upton was placed into my patrol vehicle and I transported him back to the accident scene. Once there, Officer Chandler read him his miranda warning and he stated that he had drank several beers and possibly a shot of liquor over the course of the day, but it had been several hours since his last drink. He also agreed to perform field sobriety tests.

We relocated to the parking lot of the Winthrop Memory Care parking lot on the corner of Highway 411 E and Chateau Dr. Once there I had Mr. Upton step out of my patrol vehicle, took him out of handcuffs, and started the battery of field sobriety tests. I started with the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test. I explained the instructions to him and once he stated that he understood the instructions I started the test. During this test I observed that his eyes were bloodshot, watery, and they had a lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes.

Once the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test was complete, I explained the instructions for the Walk and Turn Test. Once he stated that he understood the instructions, I started the test. While completing this test I saw that he was unable to balance during the instructions, he started the test too soon, he used his arms for balance, he took an incorrect number of steps, and he made an improper turn.

After completing the Walk and Turn Test, I explained the instructions for the One Leg Stand Test. Once he stated that he understood the instructions, I started the test. I observed that he started the test too soon, and he used his arms for balance.

Once all field sobriety tests were complete, I had him close his eyes for approximately 90 seconds and then open them and stare a point in the distance. I then used my flashlights to introduce light into his eyes and checked his pupils for their reaction to light and they displayed a slow reaction to the light.

I then had him provide a breath sample using my PBT. The breath sample tested positive for alcohol and yielded a result of .075.

Once everything was completed, Officer Chandler placed him back in handcuffs hand told him he was under arrest for DUI and Hit and Run. See Officer Chandler’s report for more details.

I read Mr. Upton implied consent asking for the State Administered Blood Test, to which he freely and voluntarily agreed to. Officer Chandler then transported Mr. Upton to Atrium Health Floyd for medical clearance and the State Administered Blood Test. I followed them there for the Blood Test. Once there, [REDACTED] drew two vials of blood from Mr. Upton and packaged them to the be sent to the GBI Crime Lab. They will be placed into evidence at the Rome Police Department and sent to the GBI Crime Lab for analysis.

[End of Narrative]