Corey Smith

Name:
Smith, Corey Alvin

Date of Booking:
06/08/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Hit and Run; Duty of Driver to Stop or Return to Scene of Accident

Criminal Damage to Property 1st (Private Property)

Improper Lane Change/Failure to Maintain Lane

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 06/08/2025 I, Officer Corbin Southern responded to 126 N 3rd Avenue in reference to a Hit and Run.

Upon arrival I observed Unit 2, a white Ford F-150 pulling a boat, stopped in the outside right lane of N 3rd Avenue. It was found that Unit 1, a gold Toyota pick up truck had left the scene of the accident.

Upon speaking to the driver of Unit 2, [VICTIM #1], it was found that Unit 2 had been traveling north bound on 3rd Avenue when Unit 1 was stated to have been tailgating Unit 2. It was also stated that Unit 1 went around Unit 2 and almost hit them.

Upon reaching the intersection of N 3rd Avenue and Market Street, [VICTIM #1] exited Unit 2 and went over to Unit 1 where he and, Corey Smith, the driver of Unit 1 had an exchange of words due to driving behavior. During the exchange of words, Smith drove off and left his lane, striking Unit 2 in the front driver side door and front driver side quarter panel damaging Unit 2 significantly.

Instead of stopping, Smith left the scene of the accident in Unit 1 and continued north on N 3rd Avenue.

Smith’s vehicle was located by utilizing Flock Safety Systems. Smith was contacted by phone and advised to meet with Officer’s regarding the incident. While speaking to Smith on the phone I asked him where he was coming from to which he stated that he was off Chatsworth Highway (Highway 76) near Highway 225. I advised Smith to pull into the Central Pit stop and to not leave. Smith stated that he was about to pull in leading me to believe he was close and that he had given me an accurate location.

After officers arrived on scene they advised that Smith was not there. I contacted Smith back a short time later and he advised that he just passed “Murray Fire Department.” (coming south on Highway 225 north of Redcut Road). I thought he was referring to the 911 center on Highway 76 due to him initially stating that he was on Chatsworth Highway so I advised him to stop the the store above Ingles to which he agreed. At that time, there was a miscommunication between myself and Smith about the correct store for him to stop at due to him being on Highway 225 and not Chatsworth Highway as he initially stated. I contacted Smith once again to which he advised me that he was at the Mapco near Morrison’s pool, at the intersection of Highway 225 and Redcut Road. After realizing there had been a miscommunication and after being directed to do so, Smith ultimately met with Officer Derek Godfrey and Sgt. Grayson Pierce at the Central Pit Stop on Highway 225. It was found that Smith was not on Chatsworth Highway as he initially stated he was which was what led to the mix up.

I spoke with [WITNESS #1] who witnessed the incident occur. She advised that the driver of Unit 1 got out of his vehicle. [WITNESS #1] also stated that “He” (Smith) was probably aiming for “him” [VICTIM #1] as he (Smith) had hit the door (of [VICTIM #1]’s truck) with vengeance.

I asked [WITNESS #1] “Did he (Smith) have to hit the truck to get around it? Or could he have avoided the truck?” [WITNESS #1] replied “Yeah he (Smith) could have avoided it” I asked [WITNESS #1] “Was there a vehicle in front of the gold truck (Unit 1)?” [WITNESS #1] replied “No, the guy ran over and hit them (Referring to Unit 2 and it’s occupants) on purpose”. I asked “So there was no reason he (Smith) needed to hit that truck (Unit 2) to get passed it?” to which [WITNESS #1] replied “Correct.”

I spoke to [WITNESS #2] who witnessed the incident as well. I asked [WITNESS #2] “What did you see?” [WITNESS #2] stated “The door was already open.” I believe him to have been referring to the door of unit 2. [WITNESS #2] stated that he seen [VICTIM #1] go after his dog who I believe jumped out of Unit 2 and took off running. [WITNESS #2] stated that he did not know that [VICTIM #1] and Smith were into it (arguing or exchanging words). [WITNESS #2] stated that “He (Smith) just burnt the tires off and intentionally went out of his way to ram the door on that white truck and then sped off.”

After completing my initial investigation at the scene of the accident I went to Smith’s location. Upon arrival I spoke to Smith who had been read his Miranda Rights by other Officer’s on scene. Smith stated that he left church and was going down Highway 411. Smith stated that Unit 2 came around him doing 65 or 70 and got in front of him and started going 45. Smith stated that he then got in front of Unit 2. He stated that Unit 2 got over into the slow lane at a red light (N 3rd Avenue / Market Street). He stated that [VICTIM #1] started yelling out the window (of Unit 2) and got out and ran to his driver door. Smith stated that he [VICTIM #1] was right there at it telling him to “get out, come on.”

I asked Smith what exactly was he [VICTIM #1] saying to you he stated “Just cussing, wanting to fight, telling me to get out, come on.” I asked Smith what happened after that he stated “He [VICTIM #1] was right next to my vehicle kinda like he is.” (Referring to Sgt. Pierce who was standing beside his truck). Smith stated “I was trying to get away from the scene, I felt like my life was threatened.”

Smith stated “I wasn’t trying to clip his leg so I turned it slightly toward his vehicle and got out of there and Clipped his door and got away from him.” He stated that he should have pulled over and called the law. Smith stated that his mind was racing and he didn’t know what to do.

I asked Smith why he didn’t stop when he hit Unit 2. Smith replied “I felt like my life was threatened I didn’t know what to do.” I asked Smith “You ever been in an accident before?” Smith replied “Yeah in a wreck. Not somebody trying to jump out on me putting my life at risk”. I asked Smith “What do you do when you get in a wreck?” he replied “You stop.” Indicating that he knew that he was supposed to stop when in an accident. I asked Smith why he didn’t stop to which he replied “I thought my life was at risk.”

Smith stated that he went up the highway trying to get ahold of his sister. Smith stated that he pulled over at Jackson Lake Road, tried to call his sister and looked at the front of his truck, which established that Smith was fully aware of him having just been in an accident. I asked Smith where he went when he got back in his truck to which he stated 225, which is in the opposite direction of the initial incident.

Shortly after speaking to Smith, I spoke to Sgt. Pierce. It was decided that Smith was going to be taken into custody. I placed him in handcuffs behind his back, and double locked them. I then searched him incident to arrest and placed him in the back of my patrol car. I placed his personal items in the front seat of my patrol car and escorted him to MCSO where he was turned over to jail staff without incident.

Smith was charged with Hit and Run, Criminal Damage to Property in the 1st degree, and Failure to maintain lane. [VICTIM #1]’s two young children were in the back seat. One of which was on the driver side behind the driver seat in a car seat. Due to the presence of children and the reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property by Smith he was charged with the above listed charges.

[End of Narrative]