Esmeralda Gabriel-Tomas

Name:
Gabriel-Tomas, Esmeralda Velica

Date of Booking:
01/17/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Driving Without A Valid License, Misd

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 January 17th at approximately 1624 I responded to a hit and run at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] when I arrived on scene I spoke to [VICTIM #1] and he stated when he was leaving the Yellowstone Steak and Buffet he noticed multiple scuff markings on his front bumper. [VICTIM #1] stated that markings were not there previously and a man who was later identified as [WITNESS #1], in a silver truck parked behind him witnessed the incident. [VICTIM #1] also gave me a piece of paper written by [WITNESS #1] with a possible tag and a description of the vehicle.

I then spoke to [WITNESS #1] and he stated that while sitting in his vehicle before going inside he witnessed multiple individuals enter an older gray Honda mini van. [WITNESS #1] described the van to be at least 15 years old and that the top of the van was rusted. [WITNESS #1] stated that the driver of the van put the vehicle in reverse and while backing struck the drivers side front bumper of the Nissan Sentra ([VICTIM #1]’s vehicle). [WITNESS #1] then stated the van pulled forward, came to a stop for a moment, then drove away. [WITNESS #1] then stated that he wrote the tag number of the van down as quickly as he could before the van drove away. The tag number [WITNESS #1] gave us was [REDACTED].

I then entered the Yellowstone where I spoke to the manager and asked if they had cameras and if so if they could find the video of a hit and run that occurred in the parking lot. The manager was able to locate the video.

The video shows a white mini van being occupied by multiple individuals. The video shows the mini van entering reverse and striking the Nissan Sentra. The van was reversing while right, leading the front passenger side of the van to colliding with the front driver side of the Nissan Sentra. The mini van then pulls forward and pauses, then exits the parking lot.

I returned to my patrol car and I ran the possible tag number of the van given to me by [WITNESS #1] through GCIC. The tag number given returned to a 2003 Honda Odyssey mini van registered to a [WITNESS #2]. I then had dispatch place a phone call with the number found on her license return. Dispatch made contact and stated that there was a language barrier with the caller. Officer Hill then made contact with Officer Aldava to have her translate the phone call. Officer Aldava then made contact with [WITNESS #2] via phone call.

[WITNESS #2] stated that she was still the owner of the vehicle but, most of the time she lets her friend borrow he vehicle. [WITNESS #2] stated that her friends name is Esmeralda Gabriel but she was unaware of her current address but stated that she does live in Dalton.

I then found Esmeralda Gabriel information located in Spillman. I located the address of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] with her information. I then drove to the address and located the van matching the description sitting in the driveway behind the house.

I then asked dispatch to have a Spanish speaking deputy from the Whitfield County Sheriffs officer en route to my location to assist with speaking to Esmeralda since the address was located outside of the city limits. I approached the address and made contact with Esmeralda. Esmeralda stated she did not speak English and she then spoke to Deputy Ochoa.

Esmeralda stated that she does drive the vehicle and she did drive it to [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. We then asked Esmeralda for her license. She returned with an international translation of a foreign drivers license. We explained to Esmeralda that since she has established residency in Georgia and since it has been more than thirty days she cannot drive unless she has a Georgia drivers license. According to the translation card, Esmeralda was issued the card on 11/09/2022 and it showed her address on [REDACTED BY AGENCY] showing that she had established residency over three years ago.

I then placed Esmeralda into handcuffs and escorted her to the front of my patrol car where Deputy Ochoa searched her. I then confirmed she was not a US citizen and placed her in the back of my patrol car securely. Esmeralda stated she is a citizen of Guatemala and that she did not want us to notify the consular. I then escorted her to the Whitfield County Sheriffs Office.

Once on scene at the Whitfield County Sheriffs Office, I secured my firearm in the sallyport and then escorted Esmeralda inside, where I turned her over to the jail staff. I then completed a consular notification form per policy.

I charged Esmeralda with leaving the scene of an accident 40-6-270 on citation number 661524 and driving without a vaild license 40-5-20 on citation number 661523.

The back seat of my patrol car was checked before and after Esmeralda was placed inside securely.

[End of Narrative]