Eddie Barrett Jr

Name:
Barrett, Jr, Eddie Waymon

Date of Booking:
10/06/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
FAILURE TO DRIVE WITHIN SINGLE LANE

HIT AND RUN RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH

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

IMPROPER/ERRATIC LANE CHANGE

SERIOUS INJURY BY VEHICLE

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 20260930, I, Deputy Kerns, was dispatched to SR 72 East at James Holcomb Rd in reference to a hit-and-run accident. See Accident Report 26090283 for further information regarding the initial accident investigation.

After completing the accident investigation, I ran the registration tag [REDACTED BY AGENCY] through GCIC on my county-issued laptop. The registration returned to an address of [700 BLOCK] Madison St in Madison County. I notified Madison County 911 that myself and another deputy would be en route to the address for a follow-up investigation regarding the accident.

Upon arrival, I observed a white Chevrolet 2500 truck and, beside it, a red/burgundy GMC Yukon bearing registration [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. As I approached the passenger side of the GMC Yukon, I observed fresh white paint transfer/scratches and black marks on the vehicle that appeared consistent with tire tread marks.

I then proceeded to the front door, knocked, and announced “Sheriff’s Office.” After several minutes, a white male with a white beard came to the door. The male was later identified as Mr. Eddie Barrett. I informed Mr. Barrett who I was and explained that I was there regarding a motor vehicle accident that had occurred on SR 72 East at James Holcomb Rd. I informed Mr. Barrett that three separate witnesses had described the vehicle located at his residence as the vehicle involved in the accident and had described the driver as a white male with a white beard.

Mr. Barrett became verbally upset and stated that he did not know what I was talking about. Mr. Barrett stated that he had been at home all day and that we were accusing him of something he had no knowledge of. I informed Mr. Barrett that I was not accusing him of anything and was attempting to determine how the vehicle involved in the accident came from the accident scene to his residence.

Mr. Barrett then stated, “I don’t know, brother,” and advised that the GMC Yukon was his wife’s vehicle and that he drove the truck. Mr. Barrett stated that his wife was coming from the deer stands and would be home shortly. Mr. Barrett then closed the door.

Myself and the other deputy remained in the driveway awaiting the arrival of Mr. Barrett’s wife, Mrs. Julie Barrett. Upon Mrs. Barrett’s arrival, I identified myself and explained the reason for our presence.

Mrs. Barrett stated that she was the only person who had driven the GMC Yukon to the location where she had gone to drop off her son. Mrs. Barrett initially stated that she had dropped her son off in Broswell, but later changed her statement and stated that she had dropped her son off in Athens.

Myself and the other deputy asked Mrs. Barrett about the fresh white damage observed on the GMC Yukon. Mrs. Barrett initially stated that the damage occurred approximately two days prior when she struck a white post in her driveway. I observed that there was no white post located in the driveway.

Mrs. Barrett then changed her explanation and stated that she had driven into a ditch alongside her driveway and that the damage was caused by rocks. I observed that there was no ditch alongside the driveway that appeared large enough to cause the damage observed on the vehicle.

When asked how she was able to get the vehicle out of the area, Mrs. Barrett initially stated that a four-wheeler pulled the vehicle out. She later stated that her husband’s truck pulled the vehicle out.

Mrs. Barrett further stated that she did not know what damage we were referring to and questioned whether there was even damage to the vehicle. During the conversation, Mrs. Barrett provided multiple different explanations regarding where she had been, how the damage occurred, and how the vehicle was removed from the location where she stated the damage occurred.

Mrs. Barrett also stated that Mr. Barrett had been at work all day. This statement was inconsistent with Mr. Barrett’s earlier statement that he had been at home all day.

I subsequently contacted Witness One from the original accident investigation, identified as [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. I asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to again provide the description of the driver he observed. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] described the driver as a white male with a white beard and a buzz-cut style haircut on the sides. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that if he saw the driver again, he believed he would be able to identify him.

Based on the conflicting statements provided by Mr. and Mrs. Barrett, along with the observed damage to the GMC Yukon, it was determined that I would coordinate with one of our investigators to conduct a photographic lineup with [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

I informed Mrs. Barrett that I had nothing further for her that evening and advised her that if she decided to provide additional information regarding what had occurred, it would be greatly appreciated. Mrs. Barrett stated that she had already told us what had happened.

On 20261001, I met with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a photographic lineup. The photographic lineup consisted of six individuals, including Mr. Barrett. Prior to viewing the lineup, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was instructed to take his time and select the individual he believed to be the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident.

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] selected photograph number one, which was not a photograph of Mr. Barrett, but very similar to Mr. Barrett. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that he was not completely certain of his identification because he had only observed the driver from a side profile while both vehicles were traveling. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] further stated that, during the incident, he was attempting to maintain a safe manner of driving while attempting to maintain the same speed as the vehicle he was observing.

Based on the totality of the information and evidence obtained during the investigation, including the observed paint transfer and damage to the vehicles, the witness statements, the description of the driver, the conflicting statements provided by Mr. Barrett and Mrs. Barrett, and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] photographic lineup identification, I am seeking warrants through the Magistrate Judge for Mr. Eddie Barrett for Duty to Stop at Scene, Duty to Make Report of Accident, Serious Injury by Vehicle (which consist of the victim having a fractured vertebrae), Failure to Maintain Lane, and Improper Lane Change.

I am also seeking a warrant through the Magistrate Judge for Mrs. Julie Barrett for providing false statements during the investigation.

[End of Narrative]