Demas Cardoza

Name:
Cardoza, Demas Antonio

Date of Booking:
07/07/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Dui- Driving Under Influence Of Alcohol

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 7/7/2025 at approximately 1402 hours, a BOLO came out for a driver swerving on South Dixie Hwy. The caller advised dispatch that the driver of a black Jeep Liberty had struck a vehicle and did not stop.

The caller advised dispatch that the driver had turned onto Waco Dr. The caller stated the driver of the Jeep Liberty had struck a small red vehicle, and was now on E Ezzard. Deputy Lively and Deputy Townsend started in the direction of South Dixie to locate the vehicle. Dispatch informed that the vehicle was now going south on South Dixie, passing the Feed and Seed. The caller stated the driver went right out of the Bowling alley and almost struck multiple vehicles and a pedestrian.

The Dalton Police Department was able to locate the vehicle and stopped it at [900 BLOCK] South Hamilton St. Deputy Lively and Deputy Townsend arrived on the scene. Deputy Lively was handed the driver’s information, the driver was identified as Dimas Cardoza. Deputy Lively asked Dimas what happened. Dimas stated that he was going around traffic when he struck a red vehicle. Dimas stated that he was going to turn around and go back. Deputy Lively asked Dimas why he did not just pull over to the side of the road. Dimas stated that there was traffic and that he was going to turn around. Deputy Lively asked Dimas where he was going, Dimas stated he was driving all night and was heading home from work.

While speaking with Dimas, Deputy Townsend could smell an odor coming from Dimas’s person, at the time Deputy Townsend was unsure if it was the odor of an alcoholic beverage. Deputy Townsend did ask Dimas if he had consumed any alcoholic beverages which he stated no. Due to the behavior and actions of Dimas after striking the other vehicle, Deputy Townsend asked Dimas if he would conduct standardized field sobriety testing (SFST) which he agreed to do.

The first test conducted was Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus. Deputy Townsend did have Dimas stand underneath an awning so that the sunlight would not affect his eyes. While under the awning, Deputy Townsend was able to determine that the odor he detected earlier was that of an alcoholic beverage based on the smell. Prior to beginning the test, Deputy Townsend explained the test and asked Dimas if he understood the instructions which he replied “yes”. While checking for equal tracking and lack of smooth pursuit, Dimas had a difficult time following the stimulus.

Once Dimas began to follow the stimulus, Deputy Townsend observed both eyes exhibit lack of smooth pursuit. Deputy Townsend observed Nystagmus in both eyes at maximum deviation. While checking for nystagmus at maximum deviation, Deputy Townsend observed Dimas’s left eye fail to follow the stimulus out to maximum deviation. When Deputy Townsend observed this, he advised Dimas that he needed to continue to follow the stimulus. Deputy Townsend did not observe any clues while checking for nystagmus prior to 45 degrees.

The next test conducted was the walk and turn. After explaining the start position and advising Dimas to remain in that position until instructed to do further, Dimas began the test by walking down the line. When Dimas began the test, Deputy Townsend had to instruct him to go back where he was at and remain there. As Deputy Townsend continued to explain the test, Dimas was having difficulty maintaining his balance, was swaying back and forth and stepped off the line. After explaining the test, Dimas was advised to begin. While taking the first series of 9 heel to toe steps, Dimas started to get off the line at step 4 and did not complete a heel to toe step at steps 7 and 8. Dimas was then observed conducting an improper turn. On the second series of heel to toe steps, Dimas did not complete a heel to toe step on the first step.

The last test conducted was the one leg stand. After explaining the test, Dimas began the test. While conducting the test, Dimas was observed using his arms for balance, swaying back and forth and also put his foot down. During the instructional phase of the test, Deputy Townsend advised Dimas to raise his foot approximately six inches off the ground and to keep his toe’s pointed towards the ground. When Dimas raised his left leg, it exceeded six inches and his toe’s were not pointed towards the ground. When the 30 second time expired, Deputy Townsend advised Dimas that he could stop. Dimas only reached fifteen seconds while he was counting.

Upon completion of SFST, Deputy Townsend asked if Dimas would provide a breathe sample into the Alco Sensor which he agreed to do. The breath sample indicated a breath alcohol concentration of .228 grams. Based on the results from SFST and the breath sample, Deputy Townsend placed Dimas under arrest. Deputy Townsend then read Dimas the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for subjects 21 years of age or older. Dimas did agree the state administered test of his blood. Dimas was issued a traffic citation for Hit and Run (tk#501713) and DUI Less Safe (tk#501714). The vehicle was towed by Doug Yates Towing. The BA test kit was entered into evidence at the Sheriff’s Office.

On 7-8-25 Deputy Lively and Deputy Townsend spoke with the witness [WITNESS #1]. [WITNESS #1] stated that she was traveling north on S. Dixie Hwy. near the bypass behind a black Jeep. [WITNESS #1] stated that from the moment they got behind the Jeep, she noticed that the Jeep was swerving in the road. [WITNESS #1] stated that at one point the Jeep crossed into the opposite lane of travel and almost struck a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) head on. [WITNESS #1] stated that the Jeep had to swerve to avoid hitting the CMV. [WITNESS #1] stated that there was a maroon SUV in front of the jeep that pulled over and then pulled back out onto the roadway behind them. [WITNESS #1] stated that when the maroon SUV pulled over, the Jeep was then behind a small red passenger car (2 seater). [WITNESS #1] stated that they continued to travel north bound on S. Dixie Hwy. [WITNESS #1] stated that the Jeep continued to fail to maintain its lane and would abruptly apply its brakes due to traffic in front of it.

[WITNESS #1] stated while they were in between W. Industrial Blvd. and City View St, the black Jeep made contact with the rear of the red car. The red car then pulled over while the Jeep went around the accident and continued north bound on S. Dixie and then turned right onto City View St. [WITNESS #1] stated that she then contacted 911 and proceeded to follow the Jeep. [WITNESS #1] stated that while following the Jeep, they turned right onto E. Ezzard and then left on Needham Dr. and then back right on Altamont Ave. [WITNESS #1] stated that while she was behind the Jeep on Altamont Ave., the Jeep brake checked her. [WITNESS #1] stated that while they were following the Jeep they kept their distance due to the Jeep traveling at a high rate of speed. [WITNESS #1] stated that the Jeep then turned right onto S. Hamilton and then back right on W. Industrial Blvd. [WITNESS #1] stated that when the Jeep approached the intersection of W. Industrial Blvd. and S. Dixie Hwy., it failed to stop at the stop sign and almost struck a blue Honda SUV.

[WITNESS #1] stated that the Jeep then continued back north bound on S. Dixie Hwy. [WITNESS #1] stated that once back on S. Dixie Hwy., the Jeep drove past the vehicle that it had previously struck and continued north. [WITNESS #1] stated that they continued to follow the vehicle until they lost visual when the Jeep turned next to Retro Bowl. [WITNESS #1] stated that her boyfriend [REDACTED] was driving the vehicle and she was a passenger. [WITNESS #1] stated that the actions of the Jeep had her nervous while they were traveling behind it to the point that she felt the need to contact 911 prior to the accident. [WITNESS #1] stated that based on the vehicles behavior, she believed the driver was possibly under the influence.

[End of Narrative]