Clayveus Branch

Name:
Branch, Clayveus Leonard

Date of Booking:
09/26/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
FAILURE TO SIGNAL WHEN CHANGING LANES

DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL

USE OF SAFETY BELTS IN PASSENGER VEHICLES

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.]

Initial Observations:

On September 26th, 2026, at around 12:39 am, I was driving my marked Oconee County Sheriff’s Office patrol car on Monroe Highway approaching Pete Dickens Road when I saw a group of cars and trucks ahead of me. I saw a beige Dodge Ram GA tag [REDACTED] in that group of cars, and it was in the fast lane.

The driver of the Ram changed lanes without using a turn signal and went into the slow lane to pass a slow car in the fast lane. The driver of the Ram passed the slow car and then changed lanes back into the fast lane. Again, the driver of the Ram did not use a turn signal. The driver of the Ram drifted to the left side of the lane and the left side tires of the Ram drove into the gore at the intersection with Pete Dickens. After clearing the intersection, the lefts side tires of the Ram hit the rumble strips marking the edge of the median.

The driver of the Ram changed lanes again. I saw that the Ram’s turn indicator on the passenger side rear view mirror worked but the turn signal on the back of the truck did not activate. The driver of the Ram changed lanes directly in front of an SUV. The driver of the Ram again drifted, and the right-side tires of the Ram hit the rumble strips marking the shoulder of the road. I continued following the Ram and activated my overhead blue emergency lights to stop the Ram as we approached the intersection with Garrett Road. The driver of the Ram stopped in the right turn lane just before the intersection.

I approached the driver’s window and spoke with the driver and sole occupant of the Ram, Clayveus Branch. Branch provided me with his driver’s license. Branch told me that he was on his way home after giving a friend a ride. The friend had gone to downtown Athens and had been drinking. He needed a ride, so he called Branch asking for a ride. Branch denied drinking alcohol and claimed that he hit the rumble strips because things in his truck were moving around. He was trying to keep them from falling. While speaking with Branch, I could smell an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. I also saw that his eyes were watery and bloodshot red.

I had Branch get out of his truck and walk back to my patrol car. When Branch got out of his truck, I saw that he had the seat belt buckled, however, he was just sitting on top of it. I have seen this be used previously to keep the vehicle dinging with a reminder to use the seat belt. I asked Branch to stay near my front bumper while I turned off the forward-facing flashing blue lights. Branch initially complied but then began walking with me to the door of my patrol car. I turned off the lights and re-directed Branch over to the back of his truck closer to the shoulder of the road. Branch agreed to perform field sobriety evaluations. Branch did not have any medical issues or balance issues, and he was not wearing glasses or contacts.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN):

I explained this evaluation to Branch, and he told me that he understood my instructions. I confirmed that he did not have resting nystagmus, however, his pupils were equal size and tracked equally. I saw the following clues in both eyes:

• Lack of Smooth Pursuit
• Distinct and Sustained Nystagmus at Maximum Deviation

Walk and Turn:

I explained and demonstrated this evaluation to Branch. Branch told me that he understood my instructions. I did not see any clues during this evaluation. There was an issue when Branch took his first set of 9 steps. Branch stopped and asked if he should turn around to the left or to the right. I instructed him to follow my previous instructions and that if he did not remember I would re-explain them again. Branch completed his turn without any issues and took 9 steps back.

One Leg Stand:

I explained and demonstrated this evaluation to Branch. Branch told me he did not have any questions, and he understood my instructions. I saw the following clues:

• Sways
• Puts foot down
• Used arms to balance
• Hopping

Preliminary Alcohol Screening:

Branch refused to provide a sample of his breath into my agency issued preliminary alcohol screening device. Branch told me that he had previously been arrested by Athens-Clarke County Police Department after driving the wrong way down a one-way road in Athens. He beat that charge and his lawyer told him not to provide a sample of his breath.

Branch admitted that he had drank alcohol prior to driving. He got off work at around 3 or 4 pm. He drank one Miller Lite beer after work. He doesn’t trust the preliminary alcohol screening. Branch brought up his job as a nurse for Athens Piedmont Regional Medical Center. He insisted that he was trustworthy, and he would not risk his job. He just wanted to go home after trying to help his friend. His lawyer also told him not to do a blood test as well.

I ran Branch through HGN and confirmed that I again saw the same clues in both eyes. We talked about the clues in his eyes and what they meant. Branch again talked about his job and that he was supposed to be surgery on-call in a few hours. He asked to sit in his truck or have me follow him back to his house.

Arrest & Implied Consent:

Based on the totality of the circumstances, I placed Branch under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol to the point that it was less safe to be driving. I detained him in handcuffs and searched him incident to his arrest.

I read Branch the Implied Consent Notice for suspects over the age of 21. Branch refused to provide a sample of his blood for state administered testing. At Branch’s request, I called his mother to come pick up his truck. Branch told his mother he was being arrested for DUI. He denied drinking alcohol and told his mother that he did everything I asked him to do. Branch’s mother told him was ridiculous and to grow up.

Branch’s mother was upset as he had told her that he was going to stay in Monroe. She told Branch that he let the white boys get him arrested again and that his friend should have gotten another ride. Sgt. Wallace-Burchett responded to assist me, and she stayed with the Ram waiting for Branch’s mother.

Final Disposition:

I transported Branch to the Oconee County Jail where he was booked in. Branch was cited for DUI – Alcohol Less Safe, turn signal violation, and seat belt violation. Branch was served with a DDS 1205 form which has been attached to this report.

[End of Narrative]