Raphael Bass

Name:
Bass, Raphael

Date of Booking:
04/25/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI-REFUSAL

IMPROPER LANE CHANGE

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 March 25, 2026, at approximately 9:52 p.m., I, Officer John Adams, responded to [600 BLOCK] Peachtree Street in reference to a reported noise complaint of loud music.

When I arrived in the area, I did not observe any music. I was flagged down by a person standing on the front porch of apartment [REDACTED]. I met with the homeowner, Ms. [WITNESS #1]. Ms. [WITNESS #1] advised me that her husband, Mr. Raphael Bass, had just left the residence in their burgundy Tahoe and was driving intoxicated. I am familiar with both individuals, as I had previously been to this residence in reference to Ms. [WITNESS #1] calling the police in regard to Mr. Bass being intoxicated. Ms. [WITNESS #1] advised me that Mr. Bass would be located at one of the gas stations near East McCarty and M. Freidman Drive.

I returned to service at that time and patrolled the area that Ms. [WITNESS #1] described. I observed a burgundy Tahoe parked at one of the gas pumps at the Busy Bee Food Mart on East McCarty Street. While traveling eastbound on Jordan Mill Road, I observed the burgundy Tahoe pull out onto the roadway from the parking lot of the Busy Bee Food Mart onto Jordan Mill Road. The vehicle made a right turn onto Jordan Mill Road, heading eastbound.

As the vehicle pulled onto the roadway, the vehicle made a wide turn, causing the driver’s side tires to cross over the center line dividing the lanes of travel and enter partially into the oncoming lane of traffic. The vehicle was behind me during this maneuver, so the turn was not captured on my dashcam, which only shows what is in front of my patrol vehicle.

A vehicle that crosses over the center line dividing the lanes of travel when making a right turn is in violation of O.C.G.A. 40-6-120, which states that a vehicle making a right turn must be as close as practicable to the right curb while making the right turn. This action is a less safe act and a possible indicator of DUI impairment.

This is in addition to the recent call to service in which Ms. [WITNESS #1] reported a vehicle matching this description in this area with an allegedly intoxicated driver. I pulled off to the right shoulder of the road, and when the vehicle passed me, I signaled blue emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop with the vehicle. The vehicle came to a stop on Tanley Street, close to Anthony Drive.

I approached the vehicle and met with the driver, who identified himself as Mr. Raphael Bass. I advised Mr. Bass the reason for the stop was due to him crossing over the center line when turning onto the roadway. I immediately smelled the odor of alcoholic beverage coming from Mr. Bass’s person. I observed an open can of Bud Light beer in the center cup holder, which would later be discovered to be nearly empty.

I observed slurred speech coming from Mr. Bass. Mr. Bass advised me, “I was going to the store for my wife.” I asked Mr. Bass for his driver’s license, and Mr. Bass pulled a credit/debit card out of his wallet and held it out towards me. Mr. Bass then put the card back into his wallet and pulled his license out of his wallet and handed it to me. I asked Mr. Bass how much alcoholic beverage he had consumed, and Mr. Bass stated, “a couple drinks.” I asked Mr. Bass to step to the back of his vehicle for further questioning.

Mr. Bass had trouble keeping balance while standing or walking. I asked Mr. Bass to give me more detail about how much alcoholic beverage he had consumed. Mr. Bass advised me that at approximately 2:00 p.m., he consumed three shots of liquor. Mr. Bass advised me that he has not consumed any alcohol since then. I asked Mr. Bass to perform field sobriety testing, and Mr. Bass agreed to testing.

Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST)

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus — Mr. Bass advised me that there are no known medical issues with his eyes. During the test, Mr. Bass followed the stimulus with his head. I observed lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, distinct and sustained at max deviation in both eyes, and onset prior in both eyes. I observed vertical nystagmus in both eyes. I observed six of six possible clues for HGN testing.

Walk and Turn — Mr. Bass advised me that he has no known medical issues with his legs. Mr. Bass began the test before being told to do so. Mr. Bass broke the starting position multiple times, almost falling over. and using his arms to balance himself. Mr. Bass had his arms raised for the majority of the duration of the test, wavering back and forth to maintain balance. Mr. Bass performed an improper turn. Mr. Bass missed heel-to-toe and stepped off the line and stopped walking on step 3 after the turn. On step four, Mr. Bass missed heel-to-toe and stepped off of the line and missed heel-to-toe again on step five. Mr. Bass took twenty steps after the turn. I observed eight out of eight possible validated clues for WaT testing.

One Leg Stand – During the OLS test, upon lifting his right foot, Mr. Bass immediately lost balance, putting his foot back down, raising both arms, and swaying to the left. Mr. Bass bounced on his anchor foot during the test. Mr. Bass did not count at all during the test and placed his foot back down seven times during the thirty-second test, with his arms raised for the majority of the test for balance. I observed four of four possible validated clues for OLS testing.

Mr. Bass was administered a preliminary breathalyzer test, which read positive for alcohol content. I found Mr. Bass to be driving while under the influence of alcohol based on the following facts and circumstances:

• Clues observed on SFST (eighteen out of eighteen possible clues)
• Admission to consuming alcoholic beverages
• Presence of an open container within immediate reach
• Verbal testimony from Ms. [WITNESS #1]
• Driving behavior/presence of a less safe act
• Odor of alcoholic beverages from Mr. Bass’s person
• Slurred speech
• Unsteady walk/stance
• Positive reading on the handheld PBT

I advised Mr. Bass that he would be placed under arrest for driving while under the influence of alcohol. I placed double-locked handcuffs on Mr. Bass’ wrists, with his arms behind his back. I searched Mr. Bass’s inner pockets and turned the pockets inside-out to search for any possible weapons or articles of interest, and a foldable pocketknife and an empty ounce container of Seagram’s Gin was discovered in Mr. Bass’s pockets. The items were given to Ms. [WITNESS #1], who came to the scene to retrieve the vehicle.

I read Mr. Bass implied consent, and Mr. Bass refused the requested state test. Mr. Bass was escorted to the rear passenger seat of my patrol vehicle, and the lap and shoulder restraints were placed around Mr. Bass’s waist and torso. I transported Mr. Bass to the Sandersville Police Department for fingerprinting. At the police department, I collected Mr. Bass’s fingerprints and wrote Mr. Bass one citation and one warning.

• Citation 117A00232 for O.C.G.A. 40-6-392, D.U.I refusal, for driving while under the influence of alcohol and refusing the requested state test.
• Warning 117A00233 for O.C.G.A. 40-6-120 Improper Turn, for failing to stay as close as practicable to the right curb while making a right turn and crossing over the center line.

Mr. Bass signed the citation and warning and was given his copies. Mr. Bass was advised that his court date will be set for May 16, 2026, at 12:30 p.m., at the City of Sandersville Municipal Courtroom. I transported Mr. Bass to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, where custody of Mr. Bass was turned over to the Sheriff’s Office. I filed a DDS1205 form in regard to Mr. Bass refusing implied consent. Mr. Bass’s license was currently under suspension as discovered in NCIC for child support obligations for no serve date. NCIC confirmed that Mr. Bass is unlicensed.

[End of Narrative]