Name:
Gardner, Gary Lavoughn
Date of Booking:
05/02/2023
Reason(s) For Booking:
DRIVER EXERCISE DUE CARE
TAG/ REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
DISPLAY OF LICENSE PLATES/OBSCURING TAG FRAME OR TINTED TAG COVERS PROHIBITED
RECKLESS DRIVING
IMPROPER/ERRATIC LANE CHANGE
SPEEDING IN EXCESS OF MAXIMUM LIMITS (STATE SPEED AND ZONE LIMITS)
FAILURE TO SIGNAL WHEN TURNING OR CHANGING LANES
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 Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at approximately 1629 hours I, Deputy Robert Taft conducted a traffic stop on Georgia 401 North Bound, near mile marker 78, which resulted in the arrest of, Gary Lavaugn Gardner Jr., for speeding 112/70, improper/erratic lane change, failure to signal when changing lanes, reckless driving, display of license plate (tag frame), registration requirements and driver to exercise due care.
I was sitting stationary, near mile marker 75, on Georgia 401 North bound observing traffic flow. I observed a silver in color Mercedes S500 with Kentucky tag # [REDACTED], which appeared to be traveling faster than the posted speed limit of 70 miles per hour.
After visually estimating the S500’s speed at 115 miles per hour I then checked the S500 with my department issued Laser Ally lidar device, bearing serial # 10646, it read 112 miles per hour. At this time, I initiated my emergency lights and siren proceeding after said vehicle.
While attempting to catch up to the S500, I noticed it was maneuvering in and out traffic, switching from lane 1 to lane 2 to lane 3 and back to lane 1, while not using a turn signal. As I was closing in on the S500 my radar picked it up traveling 130 plus miles per hour.
The S500 came to a stop on the right shoulder, near mile marker 78. I contacted Turner County Emergency Communication’s Center (ECC) advising them I would be conducting a traffic stop, giving them my stop location, vehicle tag number, and vehicle description. I requested Deputy Zachary Johnson to come to my stop location. At this time, I noticed a tag frame around the vehicle’s tag which was covering the county name.
I approached the driver’s side of the vehicle making contact with a male driver later identified as, Gary Lavaugn Gardner Jr, of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. At this time, I noticed Gary was holding his phone in his right hand speaking to someone. I introduced myself, my agency and advised Gary to exit his vehicle and walk to the front of my patrol vehicle.
Gary handed me a Florida license and advised he was currently active in the United States Army. I asked Gary why he sped up after passing me and was he attempting to try and get away. Gary advised know he sped up to find a good spot to pull over.
Deputy Johnson arrived on scene.
I advised Gary to turn around place his hands behind back, securing him with handcuffs, checking for fit and double locking said cuffs. I escorted Gary to the rear of Deputy Johnson’s patrol vehicle and secured him inside. Deputy Johnson transported Gary to the Turner County Jail at this time.
I contacted Turner County Emergency Communication’s Center advising them to send the next wrecker service on rotation to my location.
Turner County Emergency Communication’s Center advised they could not get a return on the license plate. After running the S500’s vin number, Turner County Emergency Communication’s Center advised it came back to said vehicle with Kentucky tag # [REDACTED] showing registration cancelled/suspended.
Cameron’s Towing Service arrived on scene and took possession of [REDACTED]’s vehicle. [REDACTED], driver of tow truck, signed a copy of the vehicle impound sheet and was given a copy.
[End of Narrative]