Christopher Burrell

Name:
Burrell, Christopher Niel

Date of Booking:
12/31/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Improper Lane Change/Failure to Maintain Lane

Hit and Run; Duty of Driver to Stop or Return to Scene of Accident

Criminal Trespass

DUI

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 12/31/2025 I, Officer Fleming, was dispatched to the Dollar General on Blackwell Road in reference to a possible intoxicated driver.

The caller, [WITNESS #1], advised that a gray in color SUV was stuck in the ditch beside the Dollar General. I was further advised by dispatch that the vehicle had struck a metal pushcart that was in the parking lot of the Dollar General and then drug the cart into the ditch.

While enroute to the area dispatch advised that the vehicle was able to get out of the ditch and was last seen traveling South bound on South 3rd Avenue with its headlights off. I began searching the area and while doing this dispatch advised that the vehicle was seen turning onto Blackwell Road from South 3rd Avenue still with its lights off. I then returned to Blackwell Road and started searching the area. I was unable to locate the vehicle.

I then went to the Dollar Store to make contact with the caller, [WITNESS #1]. [WITNESS #1] took me to the metal pushcart that was still located in the ditch just east of Fawn Ridge. You could visibly see tire marks in the grass and on the road where the vehicle turned around and went back towards South 3rd Avenue. Pictures of this were obtained and will be added to this report.

[WITNESS #1] advised that some customers had come inside the store and had told her of the vehicle hitting the metal pushcarts. [WITNESS #1] advised that she had exited the store and saw the vehicle backing up and dragging a metal pushcart. The vehicle then pulled out of the parking lot headed west bound on Blackwell Road, before it went into the ditch just East of Fawn Ridge.

[WITNESS #1] then advised that the vehicle was able to get out of the ditch, and turn around and head South bound on South 3rd Avenue towards the Biscuit Box with its headlights still off. [WITNESS #1] advised that as she was walking back to the Dollar General that the vehicle turned back down Blackwell Road still with its headlights off. There are no exterior cameras on the Dollar General.

I then asked [WITNESS #1] how much the metal pushcarts would be to replace, and she advised no more than $500.00. I asked [WITNESS #1] for a description of the vehicle, and she advised that it was a gray SUV with a possible Georgia handicapped tag [REDACTED]. [WITNESS #1] did not know the make or model of the vehicle.

After gathering this information, Officer Ray and I continued to search the area for the vehicle. While doing this, Sgt. Webb searched the Flock camera system in attempts to try and locate a tag on the vehicle. We were unable to locate anything on Flock.

After searching the area and going back in service, Officer Ray saw a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle turning north bound onto South 3rd Avenue. The tag on the vehicle was Georgia Handicapped [REDACTED]. Due to the vehicle matching the description of the vehicle in question, Officer Ray conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at the Crème Hut.

I got out with Officer Ray. When exiting the vehicle, you could see grass and damage underneath the vehicle as well as large amounts of dirt. While Officer Ray was speaking to the driver, [WITNESS #2], I began looking around the vehicle. The front of the vehicle had a large dent and scratches all over the front bumper.

[WITNESS #2] was asked to exit the vehicle by Officer Ray. [WITNESS #2] advised that he had a party at his residence located at [300 BLOCK] Buck Lane. [WITNESS #2] advised that the passenger in the vehicle, Christopher Burrell (arrestee), had driven to his house and asked him to drive him home. [WITNESS #2] did advise that Christopher was intoxicated.

Officer Ray then went over and asked Christopher to exit the vehicle. While exiting the vehicle, Christopher was very unstable on his feet and had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person. I also noticed that Christopher had urinated on himself due to the crotch area of his jeans being wet.

I then began questioning Christopher. I asked Christopher if he had been to the Dollar General on Blackwell Road tonight and he originally advised “no”. I then advised Christopher that we had witnesses who had given a description of the vehicle he was in, a tag number that was almost identical and was only missing one letter, and that the vehicle had similar damage to it as if it hit a metal pushcart, drug it down the road and ran off into a ditch.

I then explained to him, that [WITNESS #2] told us that he had driven to his house requesting [WITNESS #2] to give him a ride home. After explaining this to Christopher, he changed his story and admitted that he was driver who drove into the ditch. Christopher advised that he hit the metal pushcart and drove into the ditch next to the Dollar General.

I asked Christopher where he went when he drove south on South 3rd Avenue. Christopher advised that he had driven to Buckeye Lane (he meant Buck Lane). I then asked Christopher why he turned around and drove back down Blackwell Road and he once again advised that he was driving to Buckeye Lane (once again meaning Buck Lane).

I then asked Christopher how much he had to drink and he advised that he drunk a pint of Jack Daniels. I then asked Christopher if he would agree to do Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and he advised “yes”.

I then asked Christopher if he has any issues with his eyes or any recent head injuries and Christopher advised that he was blind in his right eye. I then had Christopher take off his hat and glasses. I then used my finger as a stimulus and Christopher advised he could see the tip of my finger.

Christopher’s eyes were bloodshot and watery, and he had a very strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his person. Christopher had equal tracking in both eyes and did not have resting nystagmus. Due to Christopher being legally blind in his right eye, both pupils were different sizes.

Christopher was able to track my finger with both eyes, however, I observed 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. I also observed vertical nystagmus in both eyes. I observed 6 out of 6 clues.

I then attempted to do the walk and turn test, but was unable to safely administer the test. While Christopher was getting into the starting position (right foot in front of his left foot touching heel to toe), he lost his balance and almost caused him to fall.

Due to Christopher admitting to being the one operating the vehicle that had crashed into the ditch on Blackwell Road, and my findings during Standardized Field Sobriety Testing I placed Christopher under arrest. I then read Christopher implied consent (green card for drivers over the age of 21) to which he agreed to a blood draw.

I then transported Christopher to Advent Health Murray where his blood was drawn by lab tech [REDACTED]. After this, I transported Christopher to the Murray County Jail where he was turned over to jail staff without incident. The vehicle was turned over to [WITNESS #2].

[End of Narrative]