Marsalis Taylor

Name:
Taylor, Marsalis Williams

Date of Booking:
08/14/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Dui – Alcohol (0.08 Gms Or More) – 1st

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 August 14th, 2026 I, Deputy H Dix responded to [200 BLOCK] N Mcdonough Road Griffin, Ga 30223 in non-emergency mode in reference to an accident.

Upon my arrival, I observed a silver in color Nissan (TAG# [REDACTED]) in the ditch in front of [200 BLOCK] N Mcdonough Road. The vehicle was facing South bound and was in the ditch beside the North bound lane. The vehicle had also struck two mailboxes. Myself and Deputy Walker walked up to the vehicle, and there was a female laid back in the passenger seat who was identified as [REDACTED] (B/F), and a male driver who was identified as Marsalis Taylor (B/M).

[REDACTED] stated they had just left the club. We asked both individuals if they were hurt, and they stated no. I went to the driver side, and I noticed Marsalis’s eyes were glossy and bloodshot.

Marsalis was asked if he had been drinking, and he stated yes. Myself and Deputy Walker got Marsalis and [REDACTED] out of the vehicle. I had Marsalis walk to the front of my vehicle, and I noticed him stumbling when walking to my patrol vehicle. I asked Marsalis if he would take field sobriety evaluations, and he agreed. Marsalis then stated “you want me to count to three?”, and I advised him no, and to let me explain.

At this time, I cut the flashing blue lights off on my patrol vehicle to minimize the flashing lights. I explained to Marsalis that I was going to check his eyes, and that I needed him to follow my right index finger with his eyes and his eyes only without moving his head, and he advised me he understood. I also advised him to stand with his feet together with his arms down by his side. I asked Marsalis if he wore glasses or contacts, and he advised me he wore glasses (he did not have glasses on at this time), but that he could see without them.

I positioned my right index finger approximately 12-14 inches in front of Marsalis’s face. I checked Marsalis’s pupils, and they appeared to be equal in size. I then checked to see if his eyes tracked equally, and they did.

I first checked for lack of smooth pursuit, and I observed lack of smooth pursuit in the left and right eyes. I then checked for onset nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. Onset Nystagmus was observed in both the left and right eyes. I then checked for distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation which was also observed in the left and right eyes.

I then explained the walk and turn to Marsalis. Marsalis stated he had no medical issues with his legs or feet. I advised him to put his left foot on the white line in fron of him heel to toe with his right foot with his hands down by his side, and to stay in that position. I explained to Marsalis he was going to take 9 heel to toe steps down the line, and on the 9th step, take a series of small steps to turn around, and take 9 more heel to toe steps back down the line. Marsalis advised me he understood.

Marsalis missed heel to toe on several steps and stepped off the line several times.

I then explained the one leg stand to Marsalis, I told him to pick a foot of his choosing, and hold that foot approximately 6″ off the ground parallel to the ground, and to count out 1001, 1002, 1003, and so on until I advised him to stop, and to look down at his foot while counting. Marsalis advised me he understood. Marsalis put his foot down twice while doing the one leg stand.

Marsalis then agreed to blow into an alco-sensor. Marsalis showed postive for alcohol on his breath at .236.

At this time, handcuffs were placed on Marsalis’s wrists to the back of him, checked for proper fit, and double locked. Marsalis was read Ga implied consent and he agreed. Marsalis was then placed in the back of my patrol vehicle with the safety belt placed around him. Marsalis was transported to the Spalding County Jail where he was turned over to jail staff. Medical staff at the jail did the blood draw, and it has been placed into evidence at this time.

The backseat of my patrol vehicle was checked before and after Marsalis was in it.

My body worn camera was activated during this incident. A Gears report was also completed for this accident.

Marsalis was issued two citations for DUI (E26891) and Failure to Maintain Lane (E26892). [REDACTED] had a uber pick her up from the scene. Both individuals refused EMS. The vehicle was turned over to S & P Towing

[End of Narrative]