Michael Latorre

Name:
Latorre, Michael Thomas

Date of Booking:
06/17/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
DRIVING ON WRONG SIDE OF ROADWAY

DUI REFUSAL

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE

OBSCURRED OR MISSING LICENSE PLATE

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 June 17, 2026]

On 06/17/2026 at approximately 2205 hours, I, Ofc. Schoenholz, responded to Ofc. Swinehart’s traffic stop on E Pine St, Cornelia. Ofc. Swinehart requested assistance after observing a Ram pickup (GA tag [REDACTED]) nearly strike another vehicle head-on and travel over a roadway curve.

Upon arrival, I made contact with the driver, later identified as Michael Latorre. While speaking with him, I observed his speech to be slurred and his eyes to be bloodshot, watery, and glassy. When asked why he was stopped, Latorre stated that he “almost went head-on with a ” and was unable to complete the statement intelligibly. When asked if he had, in fact, crossed into oncoming traffic, he stated that he had. When asked if there was any mechanical issue with the vehicle, Latorre stated, “needless to say, my balls were itching,” and advised that he had been scratching and was not paying attention.

I asked Latorre if he would perform voluntary Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), and he agreed. I asked Latorre if he wore contact lenses, glasses, or had any recent head injuries. He stated that he did not wear contacts or glasses and had no head injuries but reported having a migraine.

I administered the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test and instructed Latorre to follow the stimulus with his eyes only while keeping his head still. I held the stimulus approximately 1215 inches from his face and slightly above eye level. I confirmed equal pupil size and equal tracking.

During the HGN evaluation, the following clues were observed in both eyes:

• Lack of smooth pursuit: present in both eyes
• Distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation: present in both eyes
• Onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees: present in both eyes

Note: Latorre exhibited swaying during the test.

Latorre declined to perform the walk-and-turn portion of the SFSTs. I asked if he would allow further eye testing, and he consented. I conducted Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) evaluations.

During the Lack of Convergence test, I observed a lack of convergence in the right eye. During the Modified Romberg test, Latorre estimated 30 seconds to be 41 seconds on the first attempt and 37 seconds on the second attempt.

Latorre stated he had taken his prescribed anxiety medication (Xanax) prior to driving. He also consented to a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT), which indicated a BAC of 0.015. Latorre additionally admitted to having a drink with dinner.

When asked to rate his level of impairment on a scale of 110, Latorre stated he was a 3.

Based on the totality of the circumstances, I determined Latorre to be impaired by a combination of Xanax and alcohol. I instructed him to place his hands behind his back, placed him in handcuffs, and checked for proper fit and double lock. A search incident to arrest was conducted with negative results for contraband. I escorted Latorre to my patrol vehicle and secured him in the rear seat using a seatbelt.

The Implied Consent Notice for Suspects Age 21 or Over was read, and Latorre refused consent to a blood test.

Latorre was transported to the Habersham County Detention Center without incident. A post-transport search of the patrol vehicle was conducted with negative results for contraband. Latorre’s vehicle was removed from the scene by Webb’s Wrecker Service at the request of the driver.

A DDS 1205 form was completed, and his license was surrendered.

Latorre was cited for DUI (Refusal) (O.C.G.A. 40-6-391), Failure to Maintain Lane (O.C.G.A. 40-6-48), Driving on the Wrong Side of Roadway (O.C.G.A. 40-6-40), and Improper Tag Display (O.C.G.A. 40-2-41).

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on June 17, 2026]

On 17 June 2026, I, Officer Swinehart, 214, was patrolling the area of 385 going north, at the 365 south ramp, when I observed a blue Dodge truck turn left off of Carpenters Cove Lane onto 385 south, but while turning he turned into the north bound side turning lane into the path of a white truck almost hitting him head on. I was unable to make a U-turn right away due to the volume of traffic in the area being high. Once it was clear I made a U-turn and then observed the Dodge pulling into the turning lane at Chase Road and almost rear ended the car in front of him. The driver later identified as Michael Thomas Latorre, DOB [REDACTED], turns left onto Chase Road where I observe him running off the road onto the curb with his passenger side, and then comes back on the road, at that time it was safe for myself and other vehicles to conduct the stop. I engage my emergency lights and sirens.

Latorre came to a stop at E Pine Street, and I exited my patrol car. I asked him what was going on due to him almost hitting a truck head on, and then running off the road, and he said, “I was scratching my balls”. His eyes were red and watery and had slurred speech. He handed me his driver’s license, insurance card, and a motorcycle registration. I asked him to step out of the vehicle and he complied. At that time, I requested Officer Schoenholz, 215, to come and assist. I also ran the truck, and it came back to a 2019 Dodge Ram, blue in color with valid insurance, and valid registration that is registered to him. I asked him if he had anything to drink and he said he did not.

Officer Schoenholz arrived on scene and spoke to him. She asked him if he was willing to do some evaluations to determine if he was ok to drive and he agreed. While she was performing evaluations, I observed him swaying back and forth, and shaking. Once Officer Schoenholz performed HGN (Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus) she asked if he was willing to do anymore evaluations, and he said no. She then asked if he would blow into a PBT (Preliminary Breath Test) and he agreed. He blew 0.015. She then asked if he had taken any medication or narcotics, and he said he took his Xanax. He also told her he had a drink at dinner. Currently, Officer Schoenholz advised him he was under arrest. He was placed in handcuffs to the rear, checking for proper fitness, then double locking them. He was placed in the rear of her patrol car with a safety belt in place for safe transport.

I went to the truck to retrieve his phone and wallet at his request. I opened the driver door and could smell the odor of Marijuana. At that time, I advised the vehicle to be searched based on the smell it gave probable cause. A search of the vehicle was done and a bottle of Alprazolam 0.5mg, which is generic for Xanax, located in a black rectangle box in the passenger floorboard. It was prescribed to Latorre. Also, in the driver’s door there was a four-to-five-inch circle green metal container that had what I believed to be based on my knowledge, training, and experience Marijuana residue in it. The phone was not located in the truck. He was told his phone was not located and then he stated he must have left it in a shopping cart at TJ Maxx.

I requested for next list wrecker which was Webb’s towing to come and pick up the vehicle. The vehicle was turned over to Webb’s.

[End of Narrative]