Lindsey Hammett

Name:
Hammett, Lindsey Nichole

Date of Booking:
07/10/2023

Reason(s) For Booking:
DRIVING UNDER INFLUENCE DRUGS/ALCOHOL

EXPIRED OR NO REGISTRATION OR TITLE

OPEN CONTAINER IN VEHICLE

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 07/10/2023 at approximately 17:04, I, Deputy Stanley, was traveling down Hwy 282 towards town when I observed a white Toyota Camry in front of me. I observed the Camry going between the white line and the yellow line. When the vehicle would get close to a line the vehicle would jerk back into the lane.

I followed the vehicle and observed it turn right onto South Main. I continued to follow the vehicle and I observed it following close to the center line and then jerk back into the center of the lane. I ran the tag, and the tag was expired. I activated my lights to stop the vehicle.

The vehicle continued south on South Main Street passing several places to stop. The driver identified as Lindsay Hammett noticed me, and pulled into the Lions Club on South Main. I observed Ms. Hammett put something in her mouth when she turned.

I approached the driver side door, and asked Ms. Hammett for her driver’s licenses. I could smell the odor of Big Red chewing gum, and the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her breath. Ms. Hammett continues to look in her wallet for her ID.

I observed her ID several times, and she over looked it. Ms. Hammett puts her wallet down and stated she was still looking for her ID. I advised it was in her wallet. Ms. Hammett hands me her ID, and I asked her if she had been drinking. She stated no.

I asked if she would blow on a Alco (portable breathalyzer). She stated she was told to never do that. I stated that was okay. I turned my front lights off, and walked back to the driver door. I asked Ms. Hammett to look at my nose. Her eyes were bloodshot and watery.

I asked if she could see my finger tip. She stated yes. I asked her to follow it, and she was confused by the directions. I asked Ms. Hammett to step out of the vehicle to do standard field sobriety. I asked for another deputy. LT. Hefner and Deputy Carver arrived on scene.

Conditions:

Weather: approximately 88 degrees
Surface: concrete, flat and free of debris and cracks
Attire: subject wearing proper attire for weather.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)

Eyes: Blue
Medical: ADHD took Adderall two hours prior
Ears: none
Head injury: none
Mental Illness: none
Eyes: none
Glasses/contacts: none
Back and legs: none
Mouth: strong odor of alcoholic beverage

Resting Nystagmus: none
Equal tracking in both eyes: present
Lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes: present when following my finger
Distinct and sustained Nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes: present when following my finger
Onset of Nystagmus prior to forty five degrees in both eyes: would not continue to follow
Vertical Nystagmus in both eyes: would not follow finger so stopped before preforming.

Walk and Turn

Handicaps or injuries: none

Instructional stage

Unable to maintain balance: present
Starts too soon: present

Walking stage

Steps off line: present
Uses arms for balance: present
Missed heel to toe: present
Incorrect number of steps: none
Improper turn: present
Stops walking: present

One Leg Stand

Instructional stage: Present

Balance and counting stage

Puts foot down: stops before told to stop
Uses arms for balance: present
Hopping: none
Sways: present

E to O: See video correct
69 to 53: See video incorrect
Alco: N/A
Finger dexterity: See video Incorrect

Based on my training knowledge and experience I placed Ms. Hammett under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol. I placed her in handcuffs behind the back, checked for proper fit, and double locked them. Ms. Hammett stated she would now blow on the Alco. I advised she could not blow now, and I gave her that chance.

I placed her in the back seat of my patrol car. I read her the GA Implied consent card, and she refused for blood. I helped Lt. Hefner search the vehicle. We observed several empty wine bottles in the passenger floorboard. They were hot to the touch.

Lt. Hefner observed another almost empty bottle in the back seat, and handed it to me. It was still cold to the touch. I took a picture of the bottles. I advised I would transport her to the Gilmer County Detention Center, if they would stay with the vehicle. Bears Towing arrived on scene, and towed the car.

I turned Ms. Hammett over to the Detention Staff. I went to my patrol car to write the tickets. I reentered the jail to advised Ms. Hammett of her charges, and explained why she also got a citation for open container. She stated she had just bought the bottles at the gas station. I did not advise her of any other details.

[End of Narrative]