Get notified by email when this case is updated.
The Georgia Gazette is actively monitoring this case. Check back for the latest updates as more information becomes available.
Name:
Adams, Edward Roland, III
Date of Booking:
08/27/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Hit and Run
Following Too Closely
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 Thursday, August 27, 2026, at approximately 1714 hours, I, Deputy Travis Knighten, Badge #5533, was dispatched to N Houston Lake Rd and Dunbar Rd in reference to a hit and run. I arrived wearing my issued Class-A uniform with badge displayed and operating a marked Houston County Sheriff’s Office Patrol unit, #974.
I made contact with the victim, [VICTIM #1], who stated he was traveling Southbound on N Houston Lake Road, operating a white-in-color, Nissan van (GA #[REDACTED]), when the light at the intersection of N Houston Lake Rd and Dunbar Rd turned red. [VICTIM #1] stated he came to a stop and felt an impact on the rear of his vehicle. [VICTIM #1] said he pulled off to the side of the road to check for damage and to initiate information exchange with the offender’s vehicle.
[VICTIM #1] stated he got out and noticed a silver-in-color, Mazda 3 sedan pull off of the road in front of him. [VICTIM #1] stated the offender (W/M information unknown at the time) said there was no damage, and he needed to leave. [VICTIM #1] said he was able to get a picture of the offender’s vehicle tag (GA #[REDACTED]) before he drove off.
I ran the display number for the offender’s vehicle utilizing NCIC/GCIC to possibly locate the residence of the offender to attempt to make contact. I discovered the vehicle was registered to, offender, Edward Adams, who resides at [100 BLOCK] Martin Anderson Street.
I relocated to the address given and made contact with Edward who stated he did operate his 2018, silver-in-color, Mazda 3 (GA #[REDACTED]), on N Houston Lake Rd near the intersection of Dunbar Rd at approximately 1714 hours. Edward said he did make contact with the vehicle in front of him, with the front of the vehicle, while he was coming to a stop on the roadway. Edward stated he pulled over and stopped to make sure there was no damage to either of the vehicles. Edward said he did not exchange any information on scene with [VICTIM #1]. Edward said he got back in his car and drove home.
Edward was placed under arrest for hit-and-run with his hands affixed behind his back. Handcuffs were applied, checked for fit, and double locked for safety. I conducted a pat search, incident to arrest. No contraband was found. Edward was then escorted to my Patrol unit, #974, and placed in the passenger rear compartment, and seatbelted in for safety. I transported Edward to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center where he was turned over to the jail staff for booking.
Pictures of both vehicles were taken and are attached to this report.
Edward was issued a citation for Following Too Close (A-275728). I will be taking a warrant against Edward for Hit and Run utilizing the Houston County Magistrate Court for failing to stop to exchange contact information and insurance information with [VICTIM #1].
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
9/24/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR EDWARD ROLAND ADAMS III
What this means: Ashley Deadwyler-Heuman of Deadwyler-Heuman Law Firm, LLC formally notified the State Court of Houston County that she is representing Edward Roland Adams III in case number 2026CR0118307, assigned to Judge Jason Ashford. This filing puts the court and prosecution on notice that all future communications regarding the defendant must go through defense counsel.
9/24/26
EDWARD ROLAND ADAMS III WAIVES FORMAL ARRAIGNMENT, ENTERS NOT GUILTY PLEA
What this means: Rather than appearing in open court for a formal arraignment — the hearing where charges are read aloud and a defendant enters a plea — Edward Roland Adams III, through his attorney Ashley Deadwyler-Heuman, filed a written waiver in the State Court of Houston County. By doing so, the defendant formally entered a plea of not guilty in case number 2026CR0118307 without needing to appear in person. This is a routine procedural step and does not affect the presumption of innocence.
9/24/26
DEFENSE FILES NOTICE OF ELECTION TO PROCEED UNDER GEORGIA DISCOVERY STATUTES
What this means: Attorney Ashley Deadwyler-Heuman filed a notice on behalf of Edward Roland Adams III stating that the defendant elects to participate in the formal discovery process under O.C.G.A. § 17-16-20. Discovery is the legal process by which both sides share evidence before trial. By filing this notice, the defense triggered its right — and its obligation — to exchange evidence with the prosecution under Georgia’s criminal discovery rules in case number 2026CR0118307.
9/26/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION DEMANDING DISCLOSURE OF FAVORABLE EVIDENCE
What this means: Attorney Ashley Deadwyler-Heuman filed a Brady/Giglio/Kyles motion on behalf of Edward Roland Adams III in the State Court of Houston County, case number 2026CR0118307. This type of motion requires the prosecution to turn over any evidence that could help the defense — including anything that might show the defendant did not commit the alleged offenses or that could be used to challenge the credibility of the State’s witnesses. The motion specifically requests statements made by the defendant, interview records, investigative files, physical evidence, photographs, recordings, polygraph results, and any other information in the possession of law enforcement or the prosecution. The defense also asked the court to hold an evidentiary hearing on the motion and to have any undisclosed materials preserved for potential appeal.
9/26/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION RESERVING RIGHT TO FILE ADDITIONAL MOTIONS
What this means: Attorney Ashley Deadwyler-Heuman filed a motion in the State Court of Houston County asking Judge Jason Ashford to formally preserve Edward Roland Adams III’s right to file additional motions as the case develops. The defense cited ongoing and incomplete discovery, the possibility that new issues may arise as evidence is reviewed, and the complexity of the charges against the defendant as reasons the court should allow future motions to be filed. This is a standard protective measure in criminal cases to ensure the defense is not locked out of raising new legal arguments later.
10/29/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED
What this means: An arraignment hearing for Edward Roland Adams III in case number 2026CR0118307 has been scheduled for October 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM in the State Court of Houston County. Note that the defendant already filed a written waiver of formal arraignment and a not guilty plea on September 24, 2026 — the court may address that waiver at this hearing or the hearing may be updated accordingly. Arraignment is typically the stage where charges are formally presented and a plea is entered on the record.