Darius Bell

Name:
Bell, Darius Marshawn

Date of Booking:
07/14/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE

DUI – LESS SAFE- COMBINATION OF 1-3

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 Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at approximately 0200 hours, I (Deputy Bakkar) was patrolling SB on Ga 401 MM 187 in the rain when I observed a black sedan with IL tag display [REDACTED]. The black sedan was in the third lane and failed to maintain lane by multiple feet on the right side. The driver then came back into the third lane and then veered over the left line. The vehicle then changed lanes to the second lane to pass a vehicle. As I caught up to the sedan, the driver then veered over the right side line by multiple feet again and then turned his signal on. I then initiated my emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop. The sedan took a delayed amount of time to pull over so I initiated my sirens multiple times. The vehicle then almost came to a complete stop in the right lane before pulling over on the right shoulder.

I arrived at the passenger side of the vehicle and observed a male driver and female occupant. I smelled the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. I observed multiple roaches (blunt ends) in the center console area. The driver identified as Darius Bell had bloodshot glassy eyes. I asked Bell to step out of the vehicle. As Bell was stepping out of the vehicle he faced away from me moving his arms as if he was throwing something out. I asked Bell what he threw out to which he denied doing.

I asked Bell how much marijuana was in the car to which he stated none. While Bell was answering I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. I then asked if he had anything to drink tonight which Bell stated no, nothing. I then asked if Bell had drank anything today to which he stated earlier. I asked Bell roughly what time, to which he stated one or two in the afternoon which was 12-13 hrs prior to the stop. I asked Bell if he was smoking weed and driving to which he stated no he was looking at his GPS. I then asked, if I search the car how much weed would I find, to which Bell stated nothing but some old blunts we already smoked. I asked Bell if he would be willing to perform some tests to make sure he was good to drive, to which Bell agreed.

The first SFST conducted was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test. After medically clearing Bell I had him stand in the start position. Bell stated he had a knee injury. I explained this test to Bell and asked if he understood, to which he stated he did. During this evaluation, Bell displayed a lack of smooth pursuit and distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation. I observed Bell with abnormally small pupil size and a delayed reaction to light which led me to believe he was under the influence of some narcotic analgesic which constricts pupil size. This was abnormal due to Bell telling me he smoked marijuana earlier which dilates pupil size. I asked Bell if he had ingested any substance or narcotic besides the marijuana and alcohol. Bell stated just the weed and alcohol a while ago.

The second SFST conducted was the walk and turn test. I instructed Bell to stand in the start position and to stay there until I told him to begin. During this time Bell began walking forward swaying and unstable. I then corrected Bell and re instructed him to stand in the start position and to stay there until I told him to begin. It should be noted Bell kept the wrong foot in the lead after I explained the start position twice and then explained and demonstrated this test. I asked if he understood my instructions, to which he stated yes. During this evaluation, Bell began too soon, moved from the start position, missed heel to toe steps, and took the wrong number of steps on his way back. Bell swayed and appeared unstable during this evaluation.

The third SFST conducted was the one leg stand. I had Bell stand in the start position while I explained and demonstrated this test to him. I asked if he understood which he stated he did. Bell stated he had an injured knee and stated during this evaluation he was going to lift his injured knee and stand on his good leg. At the 6 second mark Bell lost balance, swayed, put his foot down, used his arms for balance, and hopped. At the 19 second mark Bell lost balance, put his foot down, and used his arms for balance again. Bell then lifted his foot for approximately 1 second losing balance again and we concluded this evaluation. It should be noted that Bell said his right leg was injured. Bell then complained he was having to put pressure on his injured leg while he rubbed his left leg. During this evaluation, Bell put his foot down, used arms for balance, swayed, and hopped.

I then explained and gave instructions on how to give a breath sample for my Alco Senser. Bell did not follow my instructions and sucked on the straw. After a few attempts, Bell gave me a good sample and the results indicated a positive reading for alcohol. I then asked the female occupant if she had anything to drink or smoke to which she stated no I am pregnant. I confirmed she had a valid license to drive and then I placed Bell in handcuffs behind the back, double locked, and checked for fit. I placed Bell in the back passenger seat of my patrol car. I read Bell the Georgia Implied Consent Notice For Suspects Age 21 Or Over (Green Card) requesting blood. Bell asked me to explain what I read to him. I stated I cannot explain it to him but I could re read it. I then re read Bell his Implied Consent Notice for Blood. Bell refused the state test.

Bell asked if he could speak to his girlfriend which I allowed. I called for another unit. I allowed the female to speak with Bell. The female became argumentative. Cpl. Brooks arrived on scene and I began to search the car. I observed the burnt ends of multiple blunts in the center console area and driver side. Bell’s girlfriend was given her license back and left the scene. I transported Bell to the Monroe Co Jail and he was transferred to jail staff custody. I checked my patrol car for contraband before and after transport. Bell stated during the transport he took his girl to Atlanta to celebrate her being pregnant.

Bell was cited for DUI-Combo and Failure to Maintain Lane.

[End of Narrative]