Name:
REYNOLDS, MATTIE SAGE
Date of Booking:
05/21/2023
Reason(s) For Booking:
FAIL TO DIM HEADLIGHTS
DUI – LESS SAFE- ALCOHOL
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.]
Officer Jones requested me to the scene of his traffic stop due to numerous occupants inside the subject’s vehicle. I arrived on scene and observed the subject’s vehicle to contain four occupants.
Officer Jones informed me that the driver of the vehicle, Mattie Reynolds, failed to dim her headlights as she passed. Officer Jones also informed me that the registration for Reynolds’ vehicle was suspended. Officer Jones informed me there was a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the subject’s vehicle.
I approached the driver side of the vehicle and requested Reynolds exit the car, she complied. Once outside of the vehicle, I could detect the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from Reynolds’ person. I asked Reynolds if she had consumed any alcohol, Reynolds denied.
As I was speaking with Reynolds, I could detect the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her breath as she spoke. I again asked Reynolds if she had consumed any alcohol, again Reynolds denied. I asked Reynolds to conduct field sobriety evaluations to make sure she was safe to operate a motor vehicle on the roadway, Reynolds consented. I began field sobriety evaluations with Reynolds.
It was observed that Reynolds had:
– Watery eyes.
When asked, Reynolds did not admit of drinking. Before beginning the test, Reynolds was asked if she had any medical problems and she replied that she did not.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test
Prior to attempting this test, Reynolds indicated she did not have any medical problems that would have prevented her from performing the test. Her eyes were checked and they displayed equal tracking and her pupils were equal sizes.
Reynolds was instructed to follow the stimulus with her eyes only, keeping her head still. After stating that she understood the instructions, Reynolds attempted this test. No resting nystagmus was observed.
The results of this test displayed 4 of the 6 possible clues.
– A lack of smooth pursuit in the left eye.
– A lack of smooth pursuit in the right eye.
– A distinct and sustained nystagmus in the left eye at maximum deviation.
– A distinct and sustained nystagmus in the right eye at maximum deviation.
– No onset of nystagmus in the left eye prior to 45 degrees.
– No onset of nystagmus in the right eye prior to 45 degrees.
The test did not reveal the presence of vertical nystagmus.
Walk and Turn Test
Prior to attempting this test, Reynolds indicated she did not have any medical problems that would have prevented her from performing the test. Reynolds was instructed to put her left foot on the line and her right foot in front of it with her right heel touching the toe of her left foot.
She was instructed to stand in this manner with her hands to her sides until the test instructions were completed and the test demonstrated. Reynolds was instructed not to begin the test until told to start. She was instructed to take nine steps along the line in a heel-to-toe manner.
After the ninth step she was to stop and turn around keeping her lead foot on the ground, taking several small steps with the other foot to turn around. After turning around, she was to take nine steps in a heel-to-toe manner back along the line, in the direction she had come from.
Reynolds was further instructed to watch her feet at all times while walking, keep her arms down to her side, and to count her steps out loud. After the test was demonstrated Reynolds stated that she understood the instructions and was instructed to begin the test.
The results of this test displayed 4 of the 8 possible clues:
She was unable to maintain her balance in the instructed position. She did not start the test too soon. On the first set of steps, she correctly took 9 of 9 steps.
She did touch heel-to-toe on all steps. She didn’t step off the line. She turned properly. She stopped walking On the second set of steps, she correctly took 9 of 9 steps. She did not touch heel-to-toe on step 2. She did not step off the line. She did use her arms for balance.
Note- Reynolds elected to perform the evaluation with no shoes.
One Leg Stand Test
Prior to attempting this test, Reynolds indicated she did not have any medical problems that would have prevented her from performing the test. Reynolds was instructed to stand with her feet together and arms at her sides during the test.
Reynolds was asked not to begin the test until instructed. She was instructed to raise the leg of her choice by approximately 6 inches off the ground. While holding that position, she was to keep her leg straight and count out loud starting at one thousand one (one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three,…) and so forth until instructed to stop (after 30 seconds).
The test was demonstrated to Reynolds. After she indicated understanding the instructions, Reynolds attempted the test and raised her left leg and was wearing sandals.
The result of this test displayed 2 of the 4 possible clues:
– Swayed during the test.
– Put foot down during the test.
Preliminary Breath Test
Reynolds agreed to submit to the preliminary breath test (PBT). After giving proper instructions on how to successfully submit a sufficient sample, Reynolds indicated that she understood the instructions given and attempted the test. Reynolds was able to provide a sufficient sample. The results detected the presence of alcohol and displayed a reading of .096 grams.
Due to my observations, I believed Reynolds to be impaired and a less safe driver on the roadway. I asked Reynolds how old she was, Reynolds informed me that she was 20 years old. I instructed Reynolds to turn around and place her hands behind her back. I placed handcuffs on Reynolds, checked them for proper fit, and double locked them.
I read Reynolds Georgia Implied Consent Notice for subjects under the age of 21 from my green Georgia Implied Consent Notice card (DDS-354(05/2019)). I requested Reynolds submit to a state administered chemical test of her blood, Reynolds consented.
Due to all of Reynolds’ passengers being under the influence or not possessing a valid driver’s license, I allowed Reynolds to make a phone call for someone to come retrieve her vehicle and the occupants.
All occupants of Reynolds’ vehicle were requested to exit the car. As the back seat passenger, Jacob Carter, exited the vehicle, a glass bottle of Vodka fell onto the roadway. The seal had been broken and the contents were partially removed from the alcoholic container. Carter claimed ownership of the bottle of alcohol. Carter was cited for possession of open alcoholic container OCGA 40-6-253.
Officer Jones informed me that one of the passengers handed him a partially smoked Marijuana cigarette. The bottle of alcohol was disposed of on scene and the partially smoked Marijuana cigarette was destroyed on scene. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, no items of evidentiary value were discovered.
A short time later, [REDACTED], arrived on scene. custody of Reynolds’ vehicle was released to him per her request. All occupants of the vehicle were released from the scene to a custodian that they had contacted during the traffic stop.
I contacted Ten Eight Forensics and requested a technician meet at the Polk County Jail. Reynolds was secured in my patrol vehicle. I read Reynolds Miranda and asked if she would be willing to speak to me without a attorney present, Reynolds consented. Reynolds admitted to consuming alcohol. I transported Reynolds to the Polk County Jail without incident. Polk County Dispatch was notified of all mileage.
A short time later, [REDACTED], a technician with Ten Eight Forensics, arrived on scene. [REDACTED], who is authorized to draw blood, removed two vials of blood from Reynolds’ person with a draw time of 0458. [REDACTED] transferred custody of the evidence/toxicology kit to me and I later submitted it into the evidence locker at the Rockmart Police Department.
[End of Narrative]