Yolanda Britton

Name:
Britton, Yolanda Shonta

Date of Booking:
02/26/2022

Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL

SPEEDING IN EXCESS OF MAXIMUM LIMITS (STATE SPEED AND ZONE LIMITS)

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the officer’s narrative report. We do not fix any spelling or grammatical errors. Any changes made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist.]

On 02/26/2022 at approximately 0123 hours, I was driving down GA-38 near Jazzmasters Lane, when I observed a silver in color Nissan Altima (GA- [REDACTED]) driving Eastbound at a high rate of speed. By observing the vehicle, I proceeded look at my RADAR (F/A, MOVING, APPROACHING) and noticed it showed a speed of 80 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone. I safely turned around and caught up to the vehicle that was the only vehicle on the road at the time and initiated a traffic stop.

When I approached the driver door, I announced myself and told the driver, Ms, Yolanda Britton, the reason for me stopping her. Due to the high rate of speed. I noticed Ms. Britton’s eyes were red and glossy, I asked her if she had anything to drink and she said “yes, I had one drink”. I then asked where she was coming from and how long ago it was when she had something to drink, she advised she was coming from Frozen Paradise and she consumed alcohol about an hour prior. I asked Ms. Britton for her driver’s license then asked if she would step out of the vehicle and perform a few field sobriety tests and she advised she would.

I asked her if she had any medical problems standing or walking and she advised no. I also asked if she had any medical problems with her eyes and she advised no, she was not wearing eye contacts. Before the eye test, I turned off the front flashing blue lights and had her turn away from the roadway so she could not see passing motorist.

The first test was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus eye test. She was not wearing eye glasses. She was instructed to stand with her feet together and place her hands down by her side and to stay in this position. I then held up my pen to use as the stimulus, which was held approximately 12 to 15 inches away from her face and slightly above eye level. I then advised her that I was going to make several passes in front of her face and to follow the top of my pen with her eyes only and to not turn her head. I then asked if she understood and she advised yes.

I first checked for equal pupil size, which was detected. I then checked for resting Nystagmus which was not detected. I then checked for equal tracking in both eyes starting with the subjects left eye and repeated this step. I then checked for lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes starting with the subjects left eye and repeated this step. I then checked for distinct and sustained Nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes starting with the subjects left eye and then repeated this step. I then checked for on set of Nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes starting with the subjects left eye and repeated this step.

I then checked for vertical gaze Nystagmus which was not detected. During this test, I detected all possible six clues, lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, distinct and sustained Nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes and on set of Nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes. Other cues of impairment, she was swaying from side to side and unsteady while standing with her feet together.

The second field test was the Walk and Turn. I first advised Ms. Britton to stand with her right foot in front of her left foot, touching heel to toe and place her hands down by her side. Ms. Britton was advised to stay in this position while I demonstrated and explained this test and to not start or begin until told, she acknowledged she understood. I advised her when instructed to take nine steps walking a straight line and touch heel to toe each step. I advised her on the ninth step to keep her front foot on the ground and make small turns until turned back around and then return nine steps touching heel to toe each step. I also advised her during the test, to look down at her feet, count each step out loud, keep her hands down by her side and once she starts to not stop until the test is completed.

I demonstrated the entire test and then asked if she understood or had any questions, she indicated she understood. I then advised Ms. Britton to begin the test. During this test the following 7 out of 8 clues were displayed.

INSTRUCTIONAL STAGE:

1. Broke stance
2. Started walking before instructed

WALKING STAGE:

3. Missed heel to toe.
4. Stepped off line.
5. Raised arms.
6. Incorrect turn.
7. Wrong number of steps (took extra steps)

The next field test was the One Leg Stand. I advised her to stand with her feet together and place both hands down by her side while I explained and demonstrated the test. She was advised to not start the test until told to begin. She was advised to raise one foot approximately (6) inches off the ground while pointing her toe out, keeping foot flat and level with the ground. She was advised to count out loud by thousands until told to stop. She was advised during the test, to look down at her raised foot and to keep both hands down by her side. I then demonstrated how to perform this test and asked if she had any questions, Ms. Britton indicated she understood. She raised her right foot to start. While balancing the following 3 out of 4 clues were displayed.

BALANCE AND COUNTING STAGE:

1. SWAYING
2. RAISED ARMS
3. PUT FOOT DOWN (switched feet)

The last field test was the field alco-sensor breath sample which was positive for the presence of alcohol. At that time, Ms. Britton was placed under arrest and read the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for suspects age 21 or over. She was asked if she would consent to the state administered chemical tests of her breath under the implied consent law, she indicated she would consent to the state tests.

Before transportation I double locked Ms. Britton’s handcuffs and checked for fit. I also checked the rear of my vehicle before placing Ms. Britton in the seat. Ms. Britton was then transported to the Hinesville Police Department for the state breath tests. When the machine was ready, she provided two proper breath samples that registered at .11 grams both times. After the state tests, she did not request any additional tests of her own. She was then transported to the Liberty County Jail and issued copies of her citations.

The vehicle was towed by Hinesville towing after Ms. Britton was not able to get someone to pick up the vehicle after an hour. Nothing further.