Brandon Pagan

Name:
Pagan, Brandon Tyler

Date of Booking:
03/29/2023

Reason(s) For Booking:
DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED OR ED (MISDEMEANOR)

DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL

ENDANGERING A CHILD BY DRIVING UN INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS

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 March 29, 2023, I responded to a two vehicle traffic collision in Jackson County, Georgia. The traffic collision was located on SR 98 near its intersection with Hardman Orchard Rd. While en route, I was advised by Troop B Communications that Jackson County deputies already on scene had placed one individual under arrest. Upon arriving at the location of the collision, I made contact Deputy Dakota Grizzle #4158 of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Grizzle advised that upon arriving on scene, he made contact with one of the driver’s involved, Mr. Brandon Pagan.

Mr. Pagan was identified using his Georgia driver’s license. Mr. Pagan was the operator of a black Jeep Compass (bearing GA tag [REDACTED]) at the time of the traffic collision. Deputy Grizzle stated that upon making contact with Mr. Pagan, he was acting erratically and attempted to fight deputies on scene. Deputy Grizzle stated that he then placed Mr. Pagan under arrest and secured him in the rear of his patrol vehicle. Deputy Grizzle further advised that the female passenger in the black Jeep stated that herself and Mr. Pagan were coming from a friend’s house where Mr. Pagan smoked a cigarette that was possibly laced with something.

After speaking with Deputy Grizzle, I then moved to interview the female passenger of the black Jeep. At that time, I made contact with Ms. [WITNESS #1]. Ms. [WITNESS #1] was identified using her Georgia driver’s license. When asked what happened in the traffic collision, Ms. [WITNESS #1] stated that Mr. Pagan passed out behind the wheel before the traffic crash occurred. I then considered this as I moved to determine the series of events which led to the traffic collision.

By observing the physical evidence, along with interviewing the other individuals involved, I determined that the black Jeep Compass operated by Mr. Pagan was traveling south on SR 98 when he followed too closely behind a black Ram 2500 pulling an auto transport trailer. This action resulted in the front of the black Jeep striking the rear of the trailer. After impact with the trailer, the black Jeep then traveled over the trailer and into the bed of the Ram 2500 where it came to a final rest.

As I investigated the collision, I noted that there was no roadway evidence to indicate that Mr. Pagan attempted to brake or take any evasive action before the collision. Additionally, the driver of the black Ram stated that he was not braking at the time of the collision, meaning that Mr. Pagan rear-ended a moving vehicle. I found this to be consistent with Ms. [WITNESS #1]’ statement that Mr. Pagan was passed out before the traffic collision occurred. I then moved to interview Mr. Pagan.

At that time, I made contact with Mr. Pagan who was seated in the rear of Deputy Grizzle’s patrol vehicle in handcuffs. I then began to interview Mr. Pagan in order to identify him and determine the facts of the traffic collision. As I spoke with Mr. Pagan, I noted that his eyes were bloodshot and watery, his speech was slow, mumbled, and slurred, and that he appeared to be falling asleep in the rear of the patrol vehicle. I then considered these observations, along with Ms. [WITNESS #1]’ statement that Mr. Pagan had smoked a possibly laced cigarette, and I began to suspect that he was under the influence of drugs.

I then read Mr. Pagan the Miranda Warning at 17:26 hours and asked if he would like to continue to speak with me. Mr. Pagan then stated that he would like to exercise his right to counsel and not speak with me any further. I then ceased my interview of Mr. Pagan and determined that I could not administer Standardized Field Sobriety Testing due to Mr. Pagan’s in custody status and his exercising of his Miranda Rights.

I then considered the facts of the traffic collision, my observations of Mr. Pagan, and Ms. [WITNESS #1]’ statements, and I determined that Mr. Pagan was under the influence. I then advised Mr. Pagan that he was under arrest for Driving Under the Influence and I read him the Implied Consent Notice for suspects aged 21 and over, requesting a blood sample. Mr. Pagan agreed at 17:27 hours.

I then transferred Mr. Pagan from the rear of Deputy Grizzle’s patrol vehicle to my own and prepared to transport him to the hospital in order to complete the requested chemical test. Upon informing Mr. Pagan that were about to travel to the hospital in order to complete the blood test, Mr. Pagan withdrew his consent. This was noted as a refusal of the Implied Consent Notice at 17:50 hours.

While transporting Mr. Pagan to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, I noted that he was extremely tired and appeared to fall asleep at several points. I found this to be consistent with my determination that Mr. Pagan was under the influence of drugs. Upon arriving at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Mr. Pagan was turned over to jail staff.

Notes:
Upon checking the status of Mr. Pagan’s driver’s license through GCIC, GCIC indicated that Mr. Pagan’s driver’s license was suspended in reference to multiple Failure to Appear suspensions.

Mr. Pagan’s vehicle was released to Seymour’s Towing.

Jackson County deputies on scene elected to not take any charges against Mr. Pagan.

Mr. Pagan had a four month old passenger seated in his vehicle at the time of the traffic collision. Said passenger is listed as a victim on this report.

[End of Narrative]