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Name:
O’Farrell, Lindsey Denise
Date of Booking:
12/18/2025
Reason(s) For Booking:
Hit and Run
DUI/Alcohol/Less Safe
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, December 18th, 2025, at approximately 1610 hours, I was dispatched to Kings Chapel Elementary at 460 Arena Rd in reference to a hit and run.
I arrived on scene and made contact with involved other, [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] stated he was driving a white Ford F250 (Ga Tag: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]). [VICTIM #1] stated while sitting in the school pickup line, a silver 2010 Ford Escape (GA Tag: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]) was driving through the parking lot. [VICTIM #1] stated that he was not moving, and the 2010 Ford Escape struck his F-250 on the driver’s side corner.
[VICTIM #1] explained that the Escape pulled over and he pulled up behind the Escape. [VICTIM #1] stated both of his kids, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and [REDACTED BY AGENCY], were in the back seat of the F-250 when the incident occurred however they were un-injured.
[VICTIM #1] stated both he and the other driver got out of their vehicle’s. [VICTIM #1] stated the other driver asked “are we good” and [VICTIM #1] told her “we are not good” due to the damage to his truck. [VICTIM #1] stated while the other driver was talking he could “smell alcohol”. [VICTIM #1] stated the other driver got back into her vehicle and took off. [VICTIM #1] was able to get a picture of the offender’s tag prior to her leaving. The tag came back with a address of [1100 BLOCK] Tucker Road.
I asked [VICTIM #1] for a description of the driver. [VICTIM #1] stated the driver was a white female with dark brown hair wearing a black tank top. [VICTIM #1] also stated there was a white male passenger wearing a yellow high visibility vest who got out of the front passenger seat.
A witness, [WITNESS #1], stated she saw the incident occur. [WITNESS #1] stated the Escape pulled into the parking lot of the school infront of her and hit several cones prior to the wreck. [WITNESS #1] stated she was behind the Escape when it struck the F-250 on the front driver’s side corner.
I spoke to the principal of Kings Chapel Elementary, [WITNESS #2], who stated the Escape had been there before. [WITNESS #2] stated they did not have children that go to school here. I asked [WITNESS #2] if she had camera footage of the incident and she stated she did.
[WITNESS #2] showed me the camera footage of the incident. The camera footage showed the F250 attempt to merge to the left from the lane closest to the side walk. The Escape was traveling in the left hand lane when the F-250 merged into its lane. The video shows the Escape striking the F-250 on the front driver’s side corner. I advised [WITNESS #2] to email me the footage of the incident.
[WITNESS #2] was on the phone while we talked and stated the person who she was on the phone with saw the Escape on Highway 341 almost strike a mailbox. Due to the possible direction of travel, I started enroute to the address the Escape is registered to ([1100 BLOCK] Tucker Road).
I arrived on scene at [1100 BLOCK] Tucker Road, and observed the Ford Escape sitting in the driveway. The front passenger and back passenger side doors were ajar however no one was in the vehicle. I made contact with the owner of the Escape, Lindsey O’Farrell and involved other [WITNESS #3]. Lindsey matched the description of the driver and was wearing a black tank top and [WITNESS #3] matched the description of the front passenger.
I asked Lindsey if she was driving earlier today and she stated she was. Lindsey stated she was and ask if this was about the school incident. [WITNESS #2] stated there was no damage to the F-250 and [VICTIM #1] advised her that they were good. Lindsey walked to the driver side corner stating that where they hit. I informed her that it was the passenger side corner.
While Lindsey was talking; she was slurring her words, I observed her stumbling while she was walking, and I could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. I asked Lindsey if was drinking today and she stated that she had 2 shots when she got home after the wreck. Lindsey stated she was not drinking prior to the accident.
Deputy Mahome interviewed [WITNESS #3] who stated he was in the vehicle at the time of the crash. [WITNESS #3] stated Lindsey was not under the influence at the time of the crash and several other people who were not named were in the car at the time of the incident. [WITNESS #3] also appeared to be under the influence at the time of his statement.
I asked Lindsey if she would be ok if I ran her through Standardized Field Sobriety Testing to make sure she was ok to drive. I explained that due to the rain, I would only run Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN eye test) on her. Lindsey stated she would. I asked Lindsey if she had any medical conditions and she stated to have POTs which affected her eyes.
I advised Lindsey to stand with her feet together with her arms down by her side so I could perform HGN and she obliged. I began to check for equal tracking and observed Lindsey move her head following my finger. I advised Lindsey to follow with only eyes and started again. Lindsey’s eyes followed to a point and stopped tracking before I got to maximum deviation. Due to her possible medical issue affecting HGN I did not complete the full standardized portion of this test.
I asked Lindsey if she would be willing to take a breath test and she declined. Lindsey was placed into custody and taken to my patrol vehicle. Lindsey was searched and secured in my patrol vehicle. Lindsey was read Georgia’s Implied Consent Notice for subjects 21 and over and asked if she would be willing to submit to a test of her blood. Lindsey declined and was transported to the Houston County Detention Center. While at the detention center, Lindsey stated she was only at Kings Chapel Elementary School for “snack pick-ups” and was not there to pick up a kid.
I obtained a search warrant for Lindsey’s blood and provided her with a copy. Lindsey’s copy of the search warrant was later placed into her property at the Houston County Detention Center. Nurse [REDACTED] assisted with blood draw at approximately 1835 hours. Lindsey was turned over to the detention center. Lindsey’s blood was transported to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and secured in the refrigerator in the evidence room.
Due to the statements gathered at the crash, the physical evidence from the vehicles and the video, as well as the condition of Lindsey when I arrived at her residence; Warrants were obtained on her for DUI Alcohol (OCGA 40-6-391(A)(1)) and Hit and Run (OCGA 40-6-270(A)).
[End of Narrative]
The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
12/18/25
LINDSEY DENISE O’FARRELL BOOKED AND BOND POSTED
What this means: Lindsey Denise O’Farrell was booked on charges of driving under the influence (DUI/alcohol/less safe) and hit and run in Houston County. A surety bond — meaning a bail bond paid through a bonding company — of $2,043.00 was posted on the same day, allowing O’Farrell to be released from custody while the case moves forward.
12/19/25
WARRANT BOND AMOUNT SET
What this means: The court set an additional warrant bond amount of $480.00 in case number 2026CR0116770. This is a separate bond figure associated with a warrant connected to the case.
2/24/26
ACCUSATION FILED AGAINST LINDSEY DENISE OFARRELL
What this means: The Houston County Solicitor General formally charged Lindsey Denise OFarrell with hit and run and driving under the influence (per se) related to an incident on December 18, 2025. According to the accusation filed in Houston County State Court case 2026CR0116770, OFarrell is accused of being involved in an accident that damaged a vehicle driven by Ryan Etheridge, then failing to stop at the scene and provide required information. She is also accused of driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams or more within three hours of driving. The case is assigned to Judge Jason Ashford, with Assistant Solicitor General Alasen L. Schell prosecuting.
2/26/26
WAIVER OF ARRAIGNMENT ENTERED PRO SE
What this means: Lindsey Denise OFarrell appeared in Houston County State Court without an attorney (pro se) and waived her right to a formal arraignment hearing. This means she gave up the right to have the charges read aloud in court and to receive formal copies of the accusation and witness list. This is a procedural step that allows the case to move forward more quickly.
2/26/26
ARRAIGNMENT AND WAIVER OF ARRAIGNMENT FILED
What this means: An arraignment was scheduled for Lindsey Denise O’Farrell in Houston County State Court — this is the formal court appearance where a defendant is read the charges and enters a plea. Records show that O’Farrell waived the arraignment pro se, meaning she gave up the right to a formal arraignment hearing and represented herself.
3/2/26
NOT GUILTY PLEA ENTERED — JURY TRIAL REQUESTED
What this means: Lindsey Denise O’Farrell entered a not guilty plea to the charges of driving under the influence and hit and run in case number 2026CR0116770. The defendant also formally requested that the case be decided by a jury rather than a judge alone. This sets the case on a path toward trial.
3/11/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE
What this means: Attorney Greg Howard Bell (Georgia Bar No. 047107) filed a formal notice with the Houston County State Court that he is now the attorney of record representing Lindsey Denise O’Farrell in case number 2026CR0116770. Judge Jason Ashford is assigned to the case. From this point forward, Bell handles legal filings and court appearances on O’Farrell’s behalf.
3/11/26
DEFENSE FILES DISCOVERY MOTION
What this means: Attorney Greg Howard Bell filed a discovery motion on behalf of Lindsey Denise O’Farrell in Houston County State Court, case number 2026CR0116770. Discovery is the legal process by which the defense requests access to evidence the prosecution plans to use. The motion asks the State to turn over a broad range of materials, including witness lists, any statements O’Farrell made while in police custody, scientific reports, video and audio recordings from the traffic stop and arrest, photographs and physical evidence, O’Farrell’s criminal and driving history, and any other evidence the State intends to use at trial.
3/11/26
DEFENSE FILES BRADY MOTION FOR EXCULPATORY EVIDENCE
What this means: Also on March 11, attorney Greg Howard Bell filed a separate motion specifically requesting that the State turn over any evidence that could help Lindsey Denise O’Farrell’s defense — known legally as “exculpatory evidence.” This type of motion is based on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brady v. Maryland, which requires prosecutors to share evidence that could point to a defendant’s innocence or reduce their culpability. The motion asks for this material to be provided at least 10 days before trial and requests that Judge Jason Ashford review any withheld evidence privately to determine whether it should be released to the defense. Requested materials include witness statements favorable to O’Farrell, chemical or scientific test results, audio and video recordings of the arrest, booking records, dispatch logs, and any other evidence known to law enforcement that could benefit the defense.
8/19/26
STATE PROVIDES DISCOVERY MATERIALS TO DEFENSE
What this means: On August 19, 2026, Assistant Solicitor General Alasen L. Schell of the Houston County Solicitor’s Office formally transmitted a batch of discovery materials to defense attorney Greg Howard Bell in case number 2026CR0116770. Discovery is the process by which the prosecution shares its evidence with the defense before trial. The electronic discovery audit log, certified under penalty of law by the Houston County Solicitor’s Office through the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, confirms that four items were delivered to Bell that day: the arrest booking report, a crime lab BAC (blood alcohol content) report, a copy of the accusation, and an evidence note. These materials give the defense access to the State’s evidence ahead of the November 9, 2026, trial date.
9/22/26
STATE FILES NOTICE OF INTENT TO INTRODUCE BUSINESS RECORDS AT TRIAL
What this means: On September 22, 2026, Assistant Solicitor General Alasen L. Schell filed a formal notice in Houston County State Court alerting defense attorney Greg Howard Bell that the State intends to introduce business records as evidence at trial against Lindsey Denise O’Farrell. Under Georgia law, certain official records — such as 911 call logs and law enforcement records — can be admitted into evidence without requiring the person who created them to testify in person, as long as the records are properly certified. The State specifically identified a 911 emergency call from December 18, 2025 (Event ID: 2025-0284528, logged at 4:09 PM) as one of the records it plans to use. A sworn business records affidavit from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, notarized on September 15, 2026, was filed alongside the notice to certify the authenticity of those records.
9/29/26
CALENDAR CALL SCHEDULED
What this means: A calendar call hearing has been set for Lindsey Denise OFarrell’s case in Houston County State Court at 1:30 PM. A calendar call is a court session where multiple cases are reviewed to check their status, schedule trial dates, and handle any pre-trial matters. This gives both sides time to prepare their cases before trial.
11/9/26
JURY TRIAL SET
What this means: Lindsey Denise OFarrell’s jury trial for the hit and run and DUI charges has been scheduled for 1:30 PM in Houston County State Court. This is when a jury will hear evidence from both the prosecution and defense to determine whether OFarrell is guilty or not guilty of the charges. The trial is several months away, which is typical to allow both sides adequate time to prepare their cases.