Emily Smith

Name:
Smith, Emily Michelle

Date of Booking:
02/08/2026

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

FAILURE TO DRIVE WITHIN SINGLE LANE

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.]

On February 8th, 2026, at approximately 00:54 A.M., I, Deputy C. Jump #545, was dispatched to assist Sgt. M. Blaylock #551 at the scene of a car accident on Highway 136, just before Shady Grove Road. I responded with code 1 with no lights and no siren since the driver had fled the scene.

Upon my arrival, I met the caller, [WITNESS #1]. [WITNESS #1] informed me that the female driver had left the scene and walked into the woods. I made contact with the EMT and the paramedic, and the female, later identified as “Emily Michelle Smith,” was found with the EMT receiving a medical evaluation. Emily stated that she refused to go to the hospital and signed a refusal form.

While conversing with Emily, I detected the smell of an alcoholic beverage on her person and blood shot eyes. Emily mentioned that her husband, Christopher Ryan Smith, was driving because she was unable to do so due to her drinking. I inquired about Chris’s whereabouts, and she indicated that he had gone into the woods, possibly due to outstanding warrants.

While I was engaged with the medics and completing the necessary paperwork, I overheard Emily calling her brother, [REDACTED], to come and pick her up. I requested Emily to sit in the back of my unit to keep warm. I examined the driver’s side seat, which was positioned very close to the steering wheel, indicating that Emily was indeed the driver.

Sgt. M. Blaylock informed me that she had observed a bottle of liquor on the passenger floorboard. I took photographs of the bottle, which was nearly empty. The liquor was identified as Taaka Vodka, containing 40% alcohol.

Emily had been traveling east on Hwy 136, veered off the roadway, traveled 45 feet into the ditch, and came to a stop with the rear of the vehicle in the roadway, facing the bank. I asked Emily who was driving, and she provided information and I advised Emily that Chris was incarcerated in Florida.

Emily then claimed that a male named [REDACTED] was the driver and that she was trying to protect him from being arrested. I informed Emily that I had checked the front seat, confirming she was the driver due to the seat’s proximity to the steering wheel. Emily did not respond further and simply said okay.

I was unable to conduct field evaluations because of heavy traffic and the road being closed. We were in a sharp curve and a very dimly lit area. The ground was also uneven, making it unfair to Emily to carry out the evaluations. I instructed Emily to exit the vehicle and turn around with her hands placed behind her back. I proceeded to handcuff Emily behind her back, ensuring the cuffs were double locked and checking for proper fit.

I informed dispatch that I was en route to the Gilmer County Detention Center. At the jail, I read the implied consent to Emily due to the unsafe conditions at the accident scene. I notified dispatch that I had read the implied consent and that Emily had refused. I completed an implied consent form for her refusal and confiscated Emily’s license.

Emily will be charged with the following offenses:

DUI Less Safe O.C.G.A. 40-6-391(a)(1) CIT#66-144
Leaving the scene of an accident O.C.G.A. 40-6-270 CIT#66-145
Failure to maintain Lane O.C.G.A 40-6-48 CIT#66-146

[End of Narrative]