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Name:
Williams, Amya Cheynne
Date of Booking:
07/22/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Improper/Erratic Lane Change
Speeding
DUI-Endangering a Child Under 14 yoa
DUI-Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
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.]
[NARRATIVE #1 on July 22, 2026]
On July 22, 2026, at approximately 2042 hours, I, Officer Haven, was conducting stationary speed enforcement near the intersection of S. Hwy 27 Bypass and S. Main Street when I observed the listed vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Using an agency-issued Stalker LIDAR unit, I obtained a speed reading of 68 mph in a posted 45 mph zone.
I entered traffic on S. Hwy 27 Bypass and observed the vehicle, a white 2013 Kia Optima, abruptly apply its brakes. The vehicle then changed lanes from the far right lane to the left lane and then into the center turn lane without signaling. I activated my emergency equipment to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle turned onto S. Main Street and continued approximately 200 feet before moving into the center lane and coming to a stop.
I approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as Ms. Amya Williams. Upon contact, I detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. I advised Ms. Williams that the reason for the stop was her speed of 68 mph in a 45 mph zone. Ms. Williams stated that a white van traveling beside her had attempted to run her off the roadway and that she was attempting to get around it. I then requested her driver’s license.
I returned to my patrol vehicle and conducted a GCIC/NCIC check on Ms. Williams. After completing the check, I returned to the vehicle and asked Ms. Williams when she had last smoked marijuana. She stated that she had smoked marijuana the previous day. She then asked if her vehicle smelled like marijuana, and I advised her that it did. Ms. Williams stated that it should not smell like marijuana because she does not smoke inside her vehicle. I asked if there was any marijuana inside the vehicle, and she stated that there was not.
I then requested that Ms. Williams exit the vehicle. Upon reaching the rear of the vehicle, she immediately began leaning against it for support. I asked Ms. Williams how often she smoked marijuana, and she stated that she smoked “every now and then.” I then asked if she would be willing to perform field sobriety evaluations to determine whether she was safe to drive, and she agreed.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)
I instructed Ms. Williams into the starting position and asked whether she wore glasses or contact lenses. She stated that she did not. I also asked whether she had suffered any recent head injuries, and she stated that she had not. I then administered the HGN test. Upon completion, I observed no clues of impairment.
Walk-and-Turn
I placed Ms. Williams in the starting position and instructed her to remain in that position until told to begin. She stated that she understood. I provided instructions and demonstrated the test. Ms. Williams stated that she understood the instructions and began the test when directed.
During the test, Ms. Williams failed to touch heel-to-toe on any step, made an improper turn, and stopped to steady herself after the turn.
One-Leg Stand
I instructed Ms. Williams into the starting position, explained the test, and confirmed that she understood the instructions. I then directed her to begin.
During the test, Ms. Williams failed to look at her raised foot as instructed. She also swayed and placed her foot down during the test.
Lack of Convergence
I instructed Ms. Williams into the starting position, explained and demonstrated the test, and confirmed that she understood the instructions.
During the test, Ms. Williams displayed a lack of convergence on both passes. On the first pass, her left eye remained straight while her right eye attempted to converge. On the second pass, neither eye attempted to converge.
Modified Romberg Balance Test
I instructed Ms. Williams into the starting position, explained the test, and confirmed her understanding. She then began the test.
During the test, Ms. Williams displayed pronounced eyelid tremors and repeatedly moved her jaw up and down. She estimated the passage of 30 seconds and stopped the test at approximately 33 seconds.
Finger-to-Nose
I instructed Ms. Williams into the starting position, explained and demonstrated the test, and confirmed that she understood the instructions.
I administered the commands in the following sequence: left, right, left, right, right, and left. During the test, Ms. Williams failed to touch the tip of her nose on any pass.
Upon completion of the evaluations, I asked Ms. Williams if she was certain that she had not consumed or taken any substance that day. She stated that she had not. Based on my observations, training, experience, and the results of the field sobriety evaluations, I determined that Ms. Williams was impaired to the extent that she was less safe to operate a motor vehicle.
I placed Ms. Williams under arrest. I secured her in handcuffs behind her back, checked the fit for proper placement, and double-locked the handcuffs. I searched her incident to arrest for weapons and contraband, and none were found. I also searched the rear compartment of my patrol vehicle for weapons and contraband prior to transport, and none were found. Ms. Williams was then secured in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle. I read the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for suspects 21 years of age or older and requested blood and urine samples. Ms. Williams consented to both tests.
I asked Ms. Williams whether her vehicle could be released to her passenger, Mrs. [REDACTED]. Ms. Williams stated that Mrs. [REDACTED] could take possession of the vehicle. I also asked who had custody of the juvenile passenger seated in the back seat, and Ms. Williams advised that Mrs. [REDACTED] was the child’s mother.
I then spoke with Mrs. [REDACTED] and obtained the juvenile’s name and date of birth. The child was determined to be one year old. After verifying Mrs. [REDACTED]’s information, I released her from the scene with the vehicle. At that time, I no longer detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. I returned to my patrol vehicle and immediately detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the rear seating area where Ms. Williams was seated. I then transported Ms. Williams to the Walker County Jail and turned her over to jail staff.
While at the jail, no certified personnel were available to conduct a blood draw. I requested Officer Heather West to administer the urine collection. After the sample was obtained, I secured it in the appropriate GBI test kit packaging. The sample will be stored in the evidence refrigerator pending submission to the GBI Crime Laboratory for analysis. Following transport, I searched the rear compartment of my patrol vehicle for weapons and contraband and found none.
Ms. Williams was charged with:
- DUI Drugs – Less Safe (Citation #1350000972)
- DUI – Child Endangerment (Citation #1350000973)
- Speeding 68/45 (Citation #1350000974)
- Failure to Signal When Changing Lanes or Turning (Citation #1350000975)
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on July 23, 2026]
On July 23rd, 2026, at approximately 1015 hours, I, Cpl Jones, responded to the Walker County Sheriff’s Office in reference to completing a bond for the release of Amya Williams. The bond was completed without incident.
[End of Narrative]