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Name:
Blalock, Ethan Scott
Date of Booking:
04/21/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI/Alcohol/Less Safe
Failure to Maintain Lane
Leaving the Scene of an Accident
Duty Upon Striking Fixtures upon Highway
Obstruction of Officers-(M)
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 21 April 2026 at approximately 2115 hours, I was on duty with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, in uniform with my badge displayed, operating a marked patrol vehicle (847). I was dispatched to [2100 BLOCK] Elko Road, Elko, Georgia, in reference to a motor vehicle accident.
Dispatch advised that [WITNESS #1] reported a 2022 Ford F-350 bearing Georgia tag [REDACTED] was possibly involved in a vehicle versus deer accident and/or had struck a guardrail. [WITNESS #1] further advised dispatch that the driver, described as a white male wearing a striped shirt, had an odor of alcohol on his person. Prior to deputies arriving on scene, the vehicle left the area traveling south on Elko Road, then turned onto Gilbert Road where it stopped briefly before leaving again.
I spoke with [WITNESS #1] by phone. [WITNESS #1] stated she was traveling south on Elko Road when she observed two sets of headlights behind her. She stated the second vehicle appeared to be following closely and swerving before leaving the roadway. [WITNESS #1] turned around to check on the driver due to her being a nurse.
Upon arrival, she observed a white male wearing khaki shorts and a polo-style shirt exiting the driver’s seat. The male stated he had struck a deer. [WITNESS #1] observed significant damage to the guardrail but did not see a deer in the area.
While speaking with the male, [WITNESS #1] detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage. She asked if he had been drinking, and he responded, “I hit a deer.” The male then re-entered the vehicle and left the scene. [WITNESS #1] stated the male appeared familiar to her and believed his name to be Ethan Blalock.
Deputy Schlageter checked the area of Elko Road and observed a severely damaged guardrail consistent with the reported incident. Dispatch conducted a GCIC/NCIC query on the vehicle tag and obtained a registered owner address of [200 BLOCK] Terrell Road. I responded to that location.
Upon arrival, I observed a white Ford pickup truck parked at the rear of the property near the wood line. The vehicle displayed extensive damage to the front passenger side extending down the passenger side. The front right tire was missing, leaving only the rim. During my observations of the vehicle I didn’t observe any deer hair on or around the vehicles damage to confirm a deer was struck.
I made contact at the front door with [WITNESS #2], who stated the vehicle belonged to her boyfriend, Ethan Blalock. When asked, [WITNESS #2] stated she was unsure of Ethan’s whereabouts.
Deputy Schlageter arrived on scene to assist. We checked the surrounding area of the property in an attempt to locate Ethan but were unsuccessful. We then returned to the residence and made contact with [WITNESS #2] again. She advised Ethan may have entered through the garage while she was in the kitchen but had not seen him.
Deputy Schlageter and I conducted a check of the residence but did not locate Ethan. While continuing to check the exterior of the residence, I observed Ethan exit the garage door with [WITNESS #2] directly behind him. I asked Ethan where he was coming from, and he stated he had been golfing.
Based on Ethan leaving the scene of an accident, I advised him he was under arrest and placed him in handcuffs. While speaking with Ethan, he admitted to hiding inside the residence but refused to specify where. Ethan stated he was returning home from golfing when he struck a deer.
I detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from Ethan’s person. When asked how much he had consumed, Ethan initially stated none. After being advised of the odor, he then stated, “not that much.”
I read Ethan his Miranda Warning, at which time he refused to answer further questions. I then read him the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for suspects age 21 and over. Ethan refused the state-administered chemical test of his blood.
Ethan was searched incident to arrest and placed in the rear passenger seat of my patrol vehicle. He was transported to the Houston County Detention Center. Field Sobriety test weren’t performed on Ethan due to him being placed in custody prior to my observation of intoxication.
Upon arrival, I completed the appropriate booking paperwork and citations. I obtained a search warrant for Ethan’s blood, which was signed by Judge Sammons. I then made contact with Nurse [REDACTED], the on-duty nurse at the Houston County Detention Center, and provided her with a GBI blood collection kit. Nurse [REDACTED] collected two vials of blood from Ethan, sealed them in the kit, and returned it to me. I secured the blood kit in my patrol vehicle.
Ethan was booked on the following charges:
Driving Under the Influence (O.C.G.A. 40-6-391)
Failure to Maintain Lane (O.C.G.A. 40-6-48)
Leaving the Scene of an Accident (O.C.G.A. 40-6-270)
Duty Upon Striking a Fixed Object (O.C.G.A. 40-6-272)
Additionally, a warrant will be sought for Obstruction (Misdemeanor) under O.C.G.A. 16-10-24 for knowingly hiding inside the residence to avoid being taken into custody.
I transported the sealed blood kit to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, where it was placed in the evidence refrigerator pending transport to the GBI Crime Lab for analysis.
Due to the vehicle being parked at Ethan’s residence I turned it over to [WITNESS #2].
Photos were taken of the damage to the vehicle and guardrail.
[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:
4/22/26
CASH BOND SET — ETHAN SCOTT BLALOCK RELEASED ON $4,454.00 BOND
What this means: A cash bond of $4,454.00 was posted with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office to secure Ethan Scott Blalock’s release from custody while the case moves forward. The bond was signed by Blalock on April 22, 2026, and deposited by Andrew Burress. The bond was attested and prepared by Deputy Sheriff Elizabeth Cline (Badge #7119). By accepting the bond, Blalock agreed to appear before Houston County State Court as required. If he fails to appear, the $4,454.00 could be forfeited to the court.
6/22/26
DEFENSE COUNSEL ENTERS APPEARANCE — NOT GUILTY PLEA ENTERED, JURY TRIAL REQUESTED
What this means: Attorney Kelly Burke filed an Entry of Appearance on behalf of Ethan Scott Blalock in Houston County State Court, formally becoming his defense counsel of record. Along with that filing, Burke submitted a Motion for Discovery — a request for the state to share its evidence — and a Waiver of Arraignment, meaning Blalock gave up his right to appear in court for the formal reading of the charges. A plea of not guilty was entered on all counts, and a jury trial was requested. The arraignment previously scheduled for July 9, 2026, is effectively resolved by this waiver.
6/29/26
FORMAL ACCUSATION FILED — 6 COUNTS AGAINST ETHAN SCOTT BLALOCK
What this means: Houston County Solicitor General Ryan W. English, through Chief Assistant Solicitor-General Erikka B. Williams, formally filed a six-count accusation against Ethan Scott Blalock in Houston County State Court under case number 2026CR0117533, assigned to Judge Jason Ashford. An accusation is the formal charging document used in misdemeanor cases — it officially sets out what the state alleges Blalock did on or about April 21, 2026. All six counts are accusations only. No finding of guilt has been made.
Count 1 accuses Blalock of Driving Under the Influence (Per Se) under O.C.G.A. 40-6-391(a)(5), alleging he drove or was in physical control of a vehicle while his blood alcohol concentration was .08 grams or more within three hours of driving.
Count 2 accuses Blalock of Driving Under the Influence (Less Safe/Alcohol) under O.C.G.A. 40-6-391(a)(1), alleging he drove or was in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol to the extent it was less safe for him to drive.
Count 3 accuses Blalock of Violation of Duty Upon Striking a Fixed Object under O.C.G.A. 40-6-272, alleging he was involved in an accident that damaged a guard rail belonging to the Georgia Department of Transportation and allegedly failed to notify the property owner or provide his identifying information as required by law.
Count 4 accuses Blalock of Failure to Report an Accident under O.C.G.A. 40-6-273, alleging he was involved in an accident resulting in property damage of $500.00 or more and allegedly failed to notify the Houston County Sheriff’s Office by the quickest means of communication available.
Count 5 accuses Blalock of Failure to Maintain Lane under O.C.G.A. 40-6-48, alleging he was operating a vehicle on Elko Road and allegedly failed to keep the vehicle within a single marked traffic lane and moved from that lane without first confirming it was safe to do so.
Count 6 accuses Blalock of Obstruction of an Officer under O.C.G.A. 16-10-24(a), alleging he knowingly and willfully hindered a Houston County Sheriff’s Office deputy in the lawful discharge of his duties by allegedly hiding inside a residence while knowing the deputy was looking for him to conduct an investigation.
7/9/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED — ETHAN SCOTT BLALOCK
What this means: An arraignment has been scheduled for Ethan Scott Blalock on July 9, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Houston County State Court. An arraignment is a formal court hearing where the defendant is officially informed of the charges against him and asked to enter a plea — typically guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This is one of the first major steps in the court process following an arrest.
12/15/26
CALENDAR CALL SCHEDULED — ETHAN SCOTT BLALOCK
What this means: A calendar call has been scheduled for Ethan Scott Blalock on December 15, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Courtroom 2 of Houston County State Court before Judge Jason Ashford. A calendar call is a routine court appearance where the judge confirms the case is ready to proceed to trial and addresses any outstanding matters before the trial date.
2/16/27
JURY TRIAL SCHEDULED — ETHAN SCOTT BLALOCK
What this means: A jury trial has been scheduled for Ethan Scott Blalock on February 16, 2027, at 9:00 AM in Courtroom 2 of Houston County State Court before Judge Jason Ashford. At trial, a jury will hear the evidence presented by both the state and the defense on all six counts before deciding whether Blalock is guilty or not guilty.