Ian Steele

Name:
STEELE, IAN E

Date of Booking:
06/08/2023

Reason(s) For Booking:
Open Container

Following Too Close

Fail to Stop @ Acc W/Damages

Driving W/Suspended Dr License

DUI of 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.]

On 8 June 2023 at 16:50 hours, I responded to 620 HWY 138; Chick-Fil-A in reference to a hit & run.

Upon my arrival, I met with Ofc. Jones #351. Ofc. Jones advised he met with the complainant, [VICTIM #1]. Ofc. Jones advised that Mr. [VICTIM #1] was rear-ended by a Toyota Sequoia bearing GA TAG [REDACTED]. The Toyota Sequoia fled the scene after the crash. (ACCIDENT REPORT IN GEARS)

Ofc. Jones advised he made contact with the register owner of the Toyota Sequoia ([REDACTED]). Ofc. Jones advised the suspect vehicle may be at Piedmont Walton per Ms. [REDACTED]. At this time, Ofc. Jones and I arrived at Piedmont Walton.

Upon our arrival, I observed an older model silver in-color Toyota Sequoia parked in the parking lot. I then observed a white male covered with tattoos at the vehicle. Ofc. Jones and I made contact with the male and he stated “I already know”. Ofc. Jones and I smelt a strong odor of an acholic beverage coming from his breath.

Ian advised he consumed a shot of whiskey upon our arrival. Ofc. Jones then handcuffed the male behind his back. Handcuffs were checked for fit and double locked. The male was then identified as Ian Steele. I then read Ian the Miranda Warning. Ian advised he understood his rights and wished to speak with me on scene.

Ian advised he was involved in the motor vehicle crash at HWY 138. Ian stated that Mr. [VICTIM #1] changed lanes and that’s when he rear-ended him. Ian advised he did not flee the scene and he attempted to wave Mr. [VICTIM #1] down. I then questioned Ian about consuming acholic and he advised he has consumed (2) shots of whiskey this afternoon.

I asked Ian if he would participate in SFST (Standardized Field Sobriety Testing) and he refused. I then asked Ian if he would blow into a PBT (Portable Breath Test and he refused. While speaking to Ian I still smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath and his eyes to be watery/bloodshot. I then read Ian the GA implied consent notice and he agreed for chemical testing of his blood.

At this time, I conducted an inventory of the vehicle. During the search, I located (1.75) litter bottle of Old Thompson (40% proof) whiskey in the backseat of the vehicle. The whiskey bottle had a broken seal and fluid missing. The remaining liquid (WHISKEY) was poured out on scene and captured on my body worn camera.

I then located a small quantity of marijuana and (2) grinders. The marijuana was collected along with the (2) grinders to be placed into MPD evidence for destruction. The liquor bottle that was located had approximately a quarter of the liquid missing which is more than (2) shots. MPD vehicle impound form was completed and attached to this report by Ofc. Jones. [REDACTED] from Taylor’s wreckers service removed the vehicle from the scene.

I then met with Ian again about the incident. During the conversation I confirmed with Ian that he wished to have a blood draw and he advised he no longer wanted a legal blood draw. I then transported Ian to the Monroe Police Department for fingerprinting. After fingerprinting, I transported Ian to the WCSO jail where he was turned over to the jail staff on location.

Ian was charged with the following, OCGA 40-6-49; Following too closely (T505288), OCGA 40-6-270; hit & run, OCGA 40-5-121; DWLS, OCGA 40-6-391A1; DUI of Alcohol less safe (T505291), OCGA 40-6-253; Open container (T505292), and Arrest warrant out of Spalding County SO. Marijuana weight is approximately 46.51 grams with all bag weight. All evidence was turned into evidence locker 006 to be destroyed.

[End of Narrative]