Andi Sanchez

Name:
Sanchez, Andi Josue

Date of Booking:
01/24/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Willful Obstruction Of Law Officers, Misd

Fleeing/ Attempting To Elude Police Officer, Misd

Reckless Driving

Hit & Run; Driver To Stop/ Return To Accident Scene

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 01/24/2026, I, Officer Sosa, responded to the area of Walnut Ave and S Glenwood Ave in reference to a reported hit and run accident. Dispatch advised that the victim driver was actively following the suspect vehicle while on the phone with the 911 call center.

While attempting to locate the suspect vehicle, I observed two vehicles matching the provided descriptions crossing the intersection of E Walnut Ave and Harris St, traveling northbound. The vehicles were identified as a white GMC Sierra bearing Georgia tag [REDACTED BY AGENCY], driven by Andi Josue Sanchez, and a red Toyota Camry bearing Georgia Tag [REDACTED BY AGENCY], Driven By [VICTIM #1]

At the intersection of E Walnut Ave and Harris St, I activated my patrol vehicle’s emergency blue lights and followed both vehicles in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop related to the hit and run investigation. The red Toyota Camry complied and came to a stop in the parking lot of Blue Ridge Elementary School. The white GMC Sierra failed to stop and continued to flee.

Upon failing to stop, Sanchez willfully and knowingly fled from a marked police vehicle by rapidly accelerating at a high rate of speed. During his flight, Sanchez operated his vehicle with reckless disregard for the safety of persons and property, disregarding traffic control devices and driving at a speed unsafe for road conditions. Sanchez’s vehicle lost traction, and he nearly collided head-on with a southbound vehicle on N Fredrick St, creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to other motorists. I immediately notified dispatch that the vehicle was fleeing and provided a description and direction of travel. Due to the immediate danger to the public, I discontinued the pursuit.

I remained in the parking lot of Blue Ridge Elementary School and made contact with [VICTIM #1]. After confirming that no injuries were reported, I observed visible damage to the red Toyota Camry, including damage to the front driver side corner, driver side front door, and rear driver side panel. The vehicle also had a flat front passenger side tire, which [VICTIM #1] advised occurred when she struck a curb while attempting to safely stop after the collision. I also observed visible white paint transfer on the Toyota Camry that was consistent with and matched the color of the GMC Sierra.

[VICTIM #1] stated that she was leaving the Cracker Barrel located at 938 Market St with her brother, [REDACTED], and was traveling eastbound in the right lane of W Walnut Ave. She stated that a white GMC Sierra approached from behind, pulled alongside her vehicle, and began merging into her lane near the intersection of W Walnut Ave and Dug Gap Rd, in front of the Wells Fargo Bank.

[VICTIM #1] stated that she recognized the driver as her ex-boyfriend, Andi Josue Sanchez, and that as he merged into her lane, the two vehicles collided. [VICTIM #1] attempted to stop after the collision; however, Sanchez fled the scene without stopping and without providing any insurance or identifying information as required by law. [VICTIM #1] followed Sanchez while remaining on the phone with the 911 call center until she observed my emergency lights and complied by stopping.

[VICTIM #1] advised that she believed Sanchez was traveling toward his girlfriend’s residence located at [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. She further advised that Sanchez is her ex-boyfriend and that they had a contentious breakup. She stated that Sanchez has previously shown up to her residence uninvited and late at night and that she has filed prior police reports regarding his behavior. She also stated that she had blocked Sanchez’s phone number; however, he continued to contact her using private phone numbers. She advised that Sanchez may also go to his mother’s residence located at [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

Whitfield County and Dalton Police Department units attempted to locate Sanchez at both addresses but were initially unsuccessful. After completing the hit and run investigation and assisting [VICTIM #1] with changing her flat tire, I returned to service.

Shortly thereafter, Lt. Lowery located the white GMC Sierra bearing Georgia tag [REDACTED BY AGENCY] parked in front of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and observed Sanchez exit the vehicle and enter the apartment. I responded to that location and observed the vehicle parked in front of the apartment.

Officer Neal assisted by positioning himself at the rear door of the apartment while I remained at the front door. After multiple knocks, [WITNESS #1] opened the front door and provided inconsistent statements regarding Sanchez’s location. [WITNESS #1] initially stated that Sanchez had left and was on his way to Atlanta. After being advised to be honest, [WITNESS #1] changed her statement and advised that Sanchez was upstairs. [WITNESS #1] then went upstairs to get Sanchez while I remained at the front door. Shortly thereafter, Sanchez walked downstairs and made contact at the front door.

When advised of the reason for my presence, Sanchez attempted to close the door. I grabbed his right arm, at which point he pulled away and assumed a fighting stance. I drew my department-issued Taser and pointed it at Sanchez. Sanchez placed his right hand near his waistband as if reaching for a concealed weapon. Lt. Lowery and I quickly gained control of Sanchez after he continued to resist and failed to comply with verbal commands.

Sanchez was placed in handcuffs, which were double-locked. Sanchez refused to walk and required multiple officers to escort him to my patrol vehicle. He was searched incident to arrest and placed in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle.

Sanchez was read his Miranda rights and initially invoked his right to remain silent. While seated in the rear of my patrol vehicle, with the in-car camera actively recording, Sanchez voluntarily made statements admitting that he fled from police and bragged that officers were unable to keep up with his vehicle.

I later spoke with [WITNESS #1], who stated that Sanchez arrived at her residence shortly after I initially attempted to locate him. [WITNESS #1] stated that Sanchez mentioned that he had just fled from police and brought food to her residence.

Sanchez later stated that he wished to provide his version of events. Sanchez was read his Miranda rights a second time, acknowledged that he understood those rights, and agreed to speak.

Sanchez stated that while he was at Cracker Barrel, he was informed by a cousin that [VICTIM #1] was making threats against him and his family. Sanchez admitted that after leaving Cracker Barrel, he intentionally sped up in order to identify [VICTIM #1]’s vehicle, which he observed in front of him on W Walnut Ave.

Sanchez claimed that [VICTIM #1] merged into his lane, causing the collision. He stated that he fled the scene because he believed no damage had occurred to his vehicle and that he observed only minor damage to [VICTIM #1]’s vehicle. However, Sanchez admitted that he intentionally applied his brakes in an effort to cause [VICTIM #1]’s vehicle to strike his vehicle. Sanchez further admitted that during his flight he continued through stop signs and red traffic signals.

Sanchez provided inconsistent statements regarding his awareness of police presence. Sanchez initially stated that he did not see the police behind him due to the dark window tint on his vehicle and did not hear sirens due to the loud sound system in his truck. Sanchez later contradicted this statement by stating that he attempted to call the police but terminated the call after noticing a police vehicle behind him.

Sanchez was transported to the Whitfield County Jail, where he was turned over to booking staff along with his personal property.

Based on my direct observations, the victim’s statements, physical damage consistent with the collision, paint transfer matching the suspect vehicle, the defendant’s willful flight from a marked police vehicle using emergency lights, his reckless operation of a motor vehicle that endangered the public, his physical resistance during arrest, and his own voluntary admissions, I have probable cause to believe Andi Josue Sanchez committed the following offenses:

O.C.G.A. 40-6-270 – Hit and run
O.C.G.A. 40-6-395 – Fleeing or attempting to elude (felony due to reckless driving and endangerment)
O.C.G.A. 40-6-390 – Reckless driving
O.C.G.A. 16-10-24 – Obstruction of a law enforcement officer

All charges were filed on e-file warrant number W26-157.

[End of Narrative]