Michael Bowling

Name:
Bowling, Michael Thomas

Date of Booking:
07/13/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI-Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Speeding

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 13, 2026]

On 07/13/2026 at approximately 0144 hours I, Sergeant Hunt was traveling south on GA-1 Bypass in the area of Grant Street. I observed a vehicle traveling north on GA-1 Bypass above the posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour. I activated my patrol vehicle Stalker Radar system to calculate the speed of the vehicle. The radar returned the vehicle speed to be 64 mile per hour. Once the vehicle passed I made a U-turn and caught up to the vehicle, and activated my patrol vehicle emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop.

The vehicle turned onto East Villanow Street and came to a final stop in the parking lot of Preferred Office Supply (507 E Villanow Street). I approached the driver side of the vehicle and observed the vehicle now had it’s soft top lowered, When the vehicle was traveling passed me on GA-1 Bypass the soft top was up. I explained to the driver, listed offender (Michael Bowling) and his passenger, listed other [REDACTED] the reason for the traffic stop.

I asked where they were going and they advised they were they were going to Ringgold. I asked where they were coming from and they advised from Ringgold. Mr. Bowling would barely make eye contact with me, however; upon the few glances towards me where I had my shoulder mounted light activated, I observed Mr. Bowling to have dilated pupils. Mr. Bowling eyes were glossy and watery like.

I continued to ask for Mr. Bowling and Mr. [REDACTED] information as they advised they did not or could not find their wallets with their issued license. I detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and as Mr. Bowling continued to speak I detected the odor of Alcoholic beverage coming from his person. I collected Mr. [REDACTED]’s and Mr. Bowling’s information and relayed the information to Walker County Dispatch.

I asked Mr. Bowling and Mr. [REDACTED] about them consuming alcoholic beverages and Mr. Bowling admitted he did consume a couple of alcoholic beverages approximately 2 hours prior to our encounter. I asked Mr. Bowling about smoking marijuana due to the odor and Mr. Bowling advised they had some “Delta 8 gummies” from Tennessee. Mr. Bowling and Mr. [REDACTED] advised they smoked the Delta 8 approximately 2-3 hours prior to our encounter.

Mr. [REDACTED] advised of a firearm in the vehicle, and I radioed Officer Craig to assist. I explained the situation to Mr. Bowling and Mr. [REDACTED] about what to do once Officer Craig arrived on scene. While waiting for Officer Craig I asked Mr. Bowling on a scale of 1 to 10 how much would he say he was feeling the effects of the alcoholic beverage (1 being sober and 10 being plaster fall over drunk). Mr. Bowling advised he was at 4.

Officer Craig arrived on scene and I had Mr. Bowling exit the vehicle first and step to my patrol vehicle. Mr. Bowling had to use the vehicle as he exited and briefly as he walked to my patrol vehicle. I had Mr. [REDACTED] place his hands on the windshield of the vehicle due to the top being down. I opened the door of the vehicle and had Mr. [REDACTED] exit the vehicle and step over to Officer Craig. I retrieved the firearm from the floorboard and removed the magazine and opened the slide to make sure the weapon was clear and unloaded. I asked Officer Craig to check the firearm through Walker County Dispatch.

I moved over to speak with Mr. Bowling and explaining the situation of the odor of alcohol and how he felt the effects at the time, I wanted to ensure he was safe to drive. Mr. Bowling agreed to conduct Field Sobriety Testing. Mr. Bowling advised he had issues with his lower back but did not state it would interfere with the performance of the test. I had Mr. Bowling take a few steps off my patrol vehicle and began Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test.

Field Sobriety Exams:

The Field Sobriety exams were conducted in the parking lot of Preferred Office Supply which was smooth and level. The lighting consisted of street lights, patrol vehicle headlights, my flashlight, and shoulder mounted light. I changed my patrol lights to the rear only. No defects or complaints were made. It was not windy at the time of the exams.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (Explained):

I observed lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus at maximum deviation in the right eye. Mr. Bowling was noticeable swaying front to back greater than approximately six inches both directions. (3 of 6)

Walk and Turn (Explained and Demonstrated)

Mr. Bowling was unable to maintain his balance and had to be advised to return to the instructional phase twice. Mr. Bowling used his arms for balance.

First 9 heel to toe steps:

Steps 2 (steps off line and missed heel to toe)
Improper turn (not as instructed)

Second 9 heel to toe steps:

Step 7 (raises arms for balance, stops walking to regain balance, misses heel to toe, steps off line)
Step 8 (misses heel to toe)
Step 9 (misses heel to toe)
(6 of 8)

One leg stand (explained and demonstrated): wearing sneakers, raises his left leg

Uses arms for balance
Swaying

During the test Mr. Bowling was looking straight ahead instead of down at his foot. I instructed Mr. Bowling to looking at his foot and as soon as Mr. Bowling did he lost his balance and almost fell over. With Mr. Bowling almost falling over I concluded the test for his safety at that point. Mr. Bowling also clutched the side of his pants during the exam as an attempt to assist him in balancing himself.

Modified Rhomberg (Explained): Mr. Bowling advised to stop at 33 seconds which is within normal range for the test. During the test Mr. Bowling was swaying and exhibited eyelid tremors.

Lack of Convergence (explained and demonstrated): Mr. Bowling advised he had a lazy eye on his left side. I observed his right eye fail to converge during two separate attempts.

Finger to Nose (Explained and Demonstrated) Left (missed tip of nose, not tip of finger, did not return arm until instructed). Right ( Not tip of finger). Left (missed tip of nose, not tip of finger). Right (not tip of finger, missed tip of nose). Right ( not tip of finger). Left ( missed tip of nose, not tip of finger).

Based on the totality of the circumstances; Mr. Bowling admitting to consuming alcoholic beverages before driving, his eyes were glossy/ water like, pupil dilated, being unsteady on his feet, and the clues observed during the Field Sobriety Test. I asked Mr. Bowling if he wanted to take a preliminary breath test and he did not. I advised Mr. Bowling to face his vehicle where he was placed into handcuffs behind the back. The handcuffs were checked for fit and double locked to prevent tightening. I read Mr. Bowling implied consent for person under 21 years old and he agreed to blood.

I searched Mr. Bowling’s vehicle for any impairing substances and none were found. During the search I located Mr. Bowling’s wallet which he advised he did not have at the beginning of the traffic stop. I found Mr. [REDACTED]’s wallet which he suspected was left at McDonald’s. Mr. [REDACTED]’s wallet was on the driver side and Mr. Bowling’s was on the passenger floorboard. Mr. Bowling requested he vehicle be secured as his contacted his girlfriend to retrieve the vehicle and was fine leaving the vehicle on scene. Mr. Bowling was advised LaFayette Police department did not have any responsibility should anything happen to his vehicle and he understood.

Mr. Bowling was placed into the rear of my patrol vehicle and searched incident to arrest and checked for weapons and contraband, none were found. Mr. Bowling did have three dollars in one dollar bills and took his cellphone to Walker County Detention. Once at the Jail I completed the blood draw (see supplemental). Mr. Bowling was turned over to Walker County Detention staff without issue. Mr. Bowling is charged with Driving While Under the influence of Alcohol and Drugs (Citation #056439) and Speeding (Citation #56440).

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on July 13, 2026]

On (07/13/2026 0253) I, Sgt Hunt, went to the (105 South Duke Street (Walker County Sheriff’s Office)) in reference to conducting a blood draw from a subject. I am a qualified law enforcement phlebotemist. I am qualified through GPSTC and West GA Technical College to conduct phlebotemy procudures on subjects for the purpose of evidence collection this is possible due to OCGA 40-6-392 (b)(2).

This says when a person shall undergo a chemical test at the request of a law enforcement officer, a qualified person may withdraw blood for the purpose of determining the alcoholic content, or narcotic content therein. No physician, registered nurse, or other qualified person or employer thereof shall incur any civil or criminal liability as a result of the medically proper obtaining of such blood specimens when requested in writing by a law enforcement officer. Under the aforementioned agencies and college, I am considered as a qualified person under the law.

I identified myself and confirmed the subject’s identity as Michael Bowling [REDACTED]. The (butterfly) procudure was completed with (consent). The blood was drawn and collected for the GBI test kit (lot #104477 and 09/30/2027) the kit is produced by Tritech Forensics. Blood was drawn from the (left venipuncture site). The subject was (seated) when the procedure was taking place. The procedure was (successful). The labels were completed and the package sealed for the test kit. I checked on the patient and they were bandaged via (sterilized cloth).

The subject was then turned over to the jail staff. A copy of the GA blood draw report was placed in their property so they would have it upon release from jail.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #3 on July 13, 2026]

On Monday, July 13, 2026, at approximately 2100 hours, Staff Sergeant Wilson met with ABC Bonding at the jail. They bonded out Michael Bowling. When the paperwork was completed, Mr. Bowling was released from LPD custody.

[End of Narrative]