Michael Blanc

Name:
Blanc, Michael

Date of Booking:
07/17/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
DRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC

DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL

HIT AND RUN; DUTY OF DRIVER TO STOP AT OR RETURN TO SCENE OF ACCIDENT

OPEN CONTAINER

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 July 17th, 2025, I responded to the area of N Broad St and Washington Street in reference to a BOLO on a hit and run vehicle. THe vehicle was described as being a black Dually Chevy truck with a silver toolbox. A photo was quickly provided by the victim of the hit and run. The vehicle was located in a parking lot at the corner of Washington and N Elm St. (Dos Bros). As LE vehicles turned into the parking lot, the vehicle began leaving. As the driver left, he drove over a stack of pallets, then over the curb as it pulled onto Washington St. CPL C EDWARDS was behind the vehicle at this time and initiated a traffic stop. The truck drove down the middle of Washington St, stopped at the light, then turned right onto N Elm and back into the parking to where it came to a stop.

EDWARDS made first contact and motioned for me to approach. He asked the driver, MICHAEL BLANC, to exit the vehicle. BLANC was very slow and unsteady as he slid out of the drivers seat. His clothes were disheveled and he looked very confused. I directed BLANC to the area in front of my vehicle. As he walked, he ran into the side of his truck and then stumbled over to the where I had asked him to stand.

BLANC’s eyes were glassy and bloodshot, he was unsteady on his feet, and he smelled of an alcoholic beverage. He was asked about medical issues, medications, contact/glasses, saying no to all. When asked how much he had to drink, he seemed confused. He finally stated a few beers.

I asked BLANC if I could check his eyes and he agreed. I began the Horizontal GAze Nystagmus test by placing him into position while I gave the instructions and began. The following was observed:

Equal tracking, equal pupil size. Difficulty standing still with out support. Propped up against my vehicle.
Lack of smooth pursuit.
Distinct and sustained Nystagmus at maximum deviation.
Onset of Nystagmus prior to 45 degrees (25).

Next I attempted to have BLANC complete the Walk and Turn evaluation. While he stumbled around, I tried to get him into the instructional position. He took his sliders off, questioned what he was doing and the stated he didn’t want to complete the evaluation. I asked about others and he declined. Based on his obvious intoxicated state and that he left the scene of an accident he caused, he was arrested for DUI and Hit and Run. He was handcuffed behind his back (2 sets); the cuffs were fit and double locked. He was searched incident to arrest. I read the implied consent notice and requested breath. He refused. I then requested blood. He also refused the blood test. I secured BLANC in EDWARDS vehicle.

A search of BLANC’s truck resulted in locating several empty beer cans and one partially empty beer bottle. The truck also had window glass from the victims vehicle on the right rear portion of the bumper and scratch marks constant with the crash and witness accounts. The truck was towed by Curts towing.

I completed citations for DUI, Hit and Run, Open Container, and FTML. I also completed a DDS 1205 form. OFFICER BOYER transported BLANC to the Jackson County Jail and turned him over without incident.

[End of Narrative]