Latrice Kirkland

Name:
Kirkland, Latrice Renae

Date of Booking:
06/07/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI-REFUSAL

FAILURE TO SIGNAL WHEN TURNING OR CHANGING LANES

FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY

NO INSURANCE

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 Sunday, June 7th, 2026 at approximately 0205 hours, I (Deputy Bakkar) was patrolling southbound on Ga 401 Sb near MM 191 when I observed an orange Ford hatchback with Ga tag display [REDACTED] speed up, change from the center lane of travel to the right lane without a blinker with no traffic in front of them. The vehicle then followed the truck in front of them way too closely at roughly 1-2 car lengths. This driving behavior stuck out to me because I was a good distance behind them in the left lane and there was not much, if any other traffic.

The vehicle then turned their left blinker on, changed lanes to the center lane, and continued into the left lane in front of me and then cut back to the center lane. The vehicle left their left blinker on for about a mile while staying in the center lane of travel. At this time I initiated my emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle slow rolled pulling over onto the right shoulder then began to drive back left into the road and then stopped. Due to the odd driving behavior I called for another unit and approached the passenger side. The tag came back with no insurance per dispatch.

I observed a black male in the passenger seat giggling, smoking a black a mild and fidgeting with a glass bottled drink. I could smell the odor of marijuana and the odor of burnt tobacco. I then asked the driver for her id to which she replied in an argumentative tone why are you stopping me. I identified myself and stated the reason for the stop. The driver then asked me again why I was stopping her while handing me her license. The driver identified as Latrice Kirkland seemed to be getting very agitated and uncomfortable with my presence due to her responses, tone, and body language. Latrice had slurred speech and red glossy eyes. I asked Latrice why she was so agitated to which she replied I am not mad at you we have just been fighting.

Dep. Powell arrived on scene at this time. I requested the male passenger out of the vehicle and when he did so I smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. The male had bloodshot glossy eyes and during my questions he stumbled multiple times. The subject took an abnormal amount of time to identify himself as well. The subject looked through his wallet and then told me it was in the trunk. The subject told me it was in the small pocket of his backpack in the trunk and then looked for it and couldn’t find it. The male occupant stated he had been drinking and did not know if Latrice had been. He then went back to saying he had a picture of it. Later on the male finally was able to identify himself to Dep. Powell after I had gotten Latrice out and was interviewing her.

When the male was unable to find his ID in the trunk I made Dep. Powell aware he has not been identified. I told the male to step over towards my patrol vehicle with Dep. Powell so I could get Latrice out and speak with her. I asked Latrice if she could back her vehicle out of the roadway to which she stated she could not because of the transmission. I asked Latrice to try and she said it doesn’t work. I then asked Latrice to step out of the vehicle and watch for traffic. When Latrice got out she dropped a phone chord and at this time I could smell the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her breath.

Latrice stated she was heading south to pick her kids up from friends. Latrice stated she had been drinking. Latrice stated she had one beer 2 hours prior. Latrice stated she was the only one who had been drinking tonight not the male passenger. Latrice was then asked to show proof of insurance which she was unable to do. I watched Latrice continually try to log into an email for an abnormal period of time while zoning out. Due to the totality of the driving behavior and signs of impairment I asked Latrice if she would be willing to perform SFST’s or Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. Latrice became avoidant of the question saying she needed to know what was going on, that she was safe to drive, that she needed to go to pick up her kids, and that she knew she was already going to test positive. I told her it was up to her and that it was a yes or no question. Latrice stated she would.

The first SFST conducted was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test. After ensuring Latrice did not have any issues with her eyes or body, I had her stand in the start position. I explained this test to her and asked if she understood, which she stated she did. During this evaluation, Latrice displayed a lack of smooth pursuit and distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation. During this evaluation Latrice moved her head multiple times after repeatedly being told to keep her head still. Latrice stated I told her to move her head. Between tests Latrice became avoidant and argumentative saying just to give her a ticket and let her drive away.

The second SFST conducted was the walk and turn test. I instructed Latrice to stand in the start position and to stay there until I told her to begin. I demonstrated the test to Latrice and asked if she understood my instructions, to which she stated yes. Latrice started before I told her to begin. I then told her to begin, Latrice stepped off line and missed heel to toe steps. Latrice stopped on her 8th step and asked if she could wait because the wind from passing cars might make her look more intoxicated or like she would not be able to drive. I told her just to try and complete the test. Latrice then began counting from 6 when she had previously completed her 8th step, miscounting her steps. Latrice made an improper turn. Latrice almost stumbled on the turn and then stopped again because she said the wind was affecting her.

The third SFST conducted was the one leg stand. I had Latrice stand in the start position while I explained and demonstrated the test to her. I asked if she understood, which she stated she did. Latrice then stated repeatedly that she had to pee. I told her to please hold it. I then asked if she wanted me to repeat the instructions to which she stated she did. I then re explained and demonstrated the test. After finishing my second instructions she began arguing about having to pee. I asked her to begin which she did. Latrice swayed, used arms for balance, and put foot down. Latrice did not follow instructions after telling me she understood. Latrice put her foot down after the verbal count of two. After Latrice counted ten she stumbled back and put her foot down. Latrice asked if she needed to keep going. I stated yes maam because we were still under thirty seconds. Latrice then became argumentative yelling that she “was gonna start p*ssing on herself.”

While I was trying to explain how to do the Preliminary Breath Test Latrice said she needed to release, but she did not want to get shot. I said to please hold it, act like an adult, and that I was not going to shoot her. I repeatedly asked Latrice to blow into the alco senser to which she did not blow into the straw. On the final attempt she began to blow but not for an adequate duration so I took a snapshot reading which indicated a positive reading for alcohol.

While taking my Alco Senser back to my vehicle and finalizing my investigation Dep. Powell advised me that Latrice stated she was 3 months pregnant and had urinated on herself in front of him. Latrice then told me she was eight weeks pregnant after trying to begin finding her insurance to which she was still unable to find. I placed Latrice in handcuffs in the front, double locked, and checked for fit. While trying to read Latrice the Georgia Implied Consent Notice For Suspects Age 21 or Over (Green Card) requesting blood, she continued to be argumentative and asked if she could have her lawyer present. Latrice then told me to reread the Implied Consent Notice to which I did. She stated yes she would submit to a blood draw.

During the inventory search I found a marijuana plate in the passenger glove compartment. The male occupant stated the only thing I might find is marijuana crumbs on the floorboard. While checking the trunk I observed a package of pills to which the male said Latrice was taking birth control to get rid of the baby. Dep. Powell then stood by for Tracey’s to tow the vehicle and then transported the male occupant to Waffle House. I then transported Latrice to the Monroe County Hospital for a blood draw. While walking toward the hospital door Latrice changed her mind and stated that she was going to refuse a blood draw. I then transported her to the Monroe County Jail. My patrol vehicle was checked before and after for contraband as well as cleaned due to the urine she left in my vehicle.

Latrice Kirkland was cited for DUI-Refusal, No insurance, Failure to signal when changing lanes, and Following too closely. This traffic stop can be reviewed on my body worn camera #240 as well as my dashcam #2307. Dep. Powell’s body worn camera #714 can be reviewed as well.

[End of Narrative]