Kimberley Finley

Name:
Finley, Kimberley Jane

Date of Booking:
06/30/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE

IMPROPER STOPPING ON ROADWAY

POSSESSION OF METH

POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS MUST BE IN THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINER(S)

POSSESSION OF DRUG RELATED OBJECTS

DUI

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 06/30/2026, at approximately 2245 hours, I, Ofc. Schoenholz, was patrolling the area of 441 Business Highway near the 365 South on-ramp when I observed a black Honda Accord (SC tag [REDACTED]) traveling southbound. The vehicle displayed inconsistent speeds, at one point traveling 31 mph in a posted 45 mph zone with no traffic ahead. I also observed the Accord traveling on the far right side of the lane and crossing over the white fog line once.

As the vehicle approached the intersection of North Main Street and Wayside Street, it came to a complete stop at a green traffic light for approximately 17 seconds before proceeding. Based on my training, knowledge, and experience, traveling well below the speed limit, failure to maintain lane, and improper stopping in the roadway are recognized indicators of potential impairment.

I activated my emergency lights at the intersection where the vehicle had improperly stopped in order to initiate a traffic stop. The driver appeared to acknowledge my emergency equipment by braking but continued slowly down Wayside Street. I had to cycle my siren multiple times before the vehicle came to a stop at the intersection of Wayside Street and Hendricks Street after passing several safe locations to pull over.

Upon making contact with the driver, later identified as Kimberly Finley, I asked why it had taken her so long to stop. She stated, “all those cars and I didn’t want to park right in the middle of the road.” I observed her speech to be slurred, and her pupils remained dilated when exposed to my flashlight. The lighting from my patrol vehicle appeared to cause her increased discomfort compared to an average individual.

I advised her of the reason for the stop (failure to maintain lane and improper stopping at a green light). She responded, “I’m not exactly sure where I’m at.” I observed that Finley had a sandwich on her lap with lettuce on her legs. When asked where she was traveling, she stated Due West, South Carolina. She advised she was coming from floating down a river in Helen, Georgia. I observed her jaw to be clenching uncontrollably, and she appeared to be grinding her teeth. When asked if she had consumed alcohol, she stated she had not. She also advised that she had “drowneded” her phone and did not have GPS available.

I returned to my patrol vehicle to run her information through GCIC. Upon returning, I observed Finley smoking a cigarette. Based on her driving behavior, slurred speech, jaw clenching, and nervous behavior, I requested that she perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), to which she agreed.

I asked Finley to exit the vehicle. I asked if there was anything illegal inside, and she stated there was not. I also asked for consent to search the vehicle, which she granted. Finley was then escorted to the rear of her vehicle and the front of my patrol unit.

I asked Finley if she wore contact lenses or glasses or had any recent head trauma; she stated she did not. She also denied any neck, back, or leg injuries.

I began SFSTs with the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. I instructed Finley to keep her feet together, hands at her sides, and follow the tip of my finger with her eyes only. I confirmed she understood the instructions. The stimulus was held approximately 1215 inches from her face and slightly above eye level. Equal pupil size and equal tracking were observed.

During the HGN test, the following clues were observed:

• Lack of smooth pursuit: present in both eyes
• Distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation: not present
• Onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees: not present

Note: Finley displayed muscle spasms beneath her eyes, continued jaw clenching, and repeatedly lost focus on the stimulus, requiring redirection.

I then administered the Walk and Turn test. Instructions were provided and understood. Instruction phase clues:

• Could not maintain balance
• Started too soon

Note: Finley initially broke position to remove her shoes and then began the test prematurely another time after my demonstration.

Walking phase clues:

• Stopped while walking
• Failed to touch heel to toe
• Stepped off line
• Used arms for balance
• Improper turn
• Incorrect number of steps

Note: When Finley first began the Walk and Turn test, she took two steps while using her arms for balance, stepped off the line, and failed to touch heel-to-toe. She then stated, “I can’t do it.” I instructed her to continue. She proceeded to take an additional 12 steps before stopping and looking at me. I instructed her to turn around and take nine steps back.

During the return, she reached her fifth step before stopping again and becoming distracted by a couple of barking dogs nearby. She then restarted the test from step one, took five steps, and stopped once more. Finley attempted to regain her position on the line but continued to lose balance and was unable to do so. At that point, I discontinued the test and advised her we would move on to the next evaluation.

I then administered the One Leg Stand test.
Observed clues:

• Swayed while balancing
• Used arms for balance
• Put foot down

Note: Finley raised her foot and began counting but put her foot down at “two one-thousand.” She raised it again and counted to “one-thousand nine” before putting her foot down a second time. By that point, the 30-second test had concluded.

While SFSTs were being conducted, Ofc. Rich located a small plastic bag containing approximately 5 white pills marked “69 V,” believed to be Clonazepam, inside a bag on the front passenger seat. Finley identified the pills as Klonopin and stated she did not have a prescription.

I then conducted ARIDE evaluations.

• Lack of Convergence: present in both eyes
• Modified Romberg: Finley estimated the passage of 30 seconds at approximately 17 seconds on the first attempt and 18 seconds on the second attempt, indicating a fast internal clock.

Finley consented to a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT), which indicated a BAC of 0.00.

Based on the totality of the circumstances, I determined Finley to be under the influence of a combination of stimulants and depressants (polydrug impairment). I placed her under arrest, secured her in handcuffs (double-locked and checked for fit), and seated her in the rear of my patrol vehicle with a seatbelt.

I returned to the vehicle and conducted a probable cause search, locating a cylindrical plastic container containing a clear crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine. I also located a glass smoking device with crystalline residue in the center console.

I then conducted a search of Finley’s person, yielding no additional contraband. Prior to reading Implied Consent, Finley requested to pass gas, which was allowed. I then read the Implied Consent Notice for Suspects Age 21 or Over, and she agreed to submit to the state administered test of her blood.

Finley was transported to Habersham Medical Center, where her blood was drawn without incident. The GBI blood toxicology kit was submitted into evidence.

She was then transported to the Habersham Detention Center and turned over to jail staff without incident. A pre- and post-transport inspection of my patrol vehicle revealed no contraband.

Finley’s vehicle was towed by Webb’s Wrecker Service (list rotation).

The suspected methamphetamine, Clonazepam, and glass smoking device were submitted into evidence. A GBI toxicology submission form was completed.

Kimberly Finley was charged with DUI Drugs, Failure to Maintain Lane, Improper Stopping in the Roadway, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Drugs Outside Original Container, and Possession of Drug-Related Objects.

[End of Narrative]