Ignacio Gomez-Lopez

Name:
Gomez-Lopez, Ignacio Maynor

Date of Booking:
03/07/2025

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

Serious Injury By Vehicle

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 03/07/2024, at approximately 2157 hours, I responded to 2312 E Morris St (Phone Depot Dalton) in reference to a motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian. The caller, later identified as [WITNESS #1], advised that there was a male on the ground who said he had been hit by a vehicle. I arrived with EMS and found a male wearing a hoodie and jeans laying on the ground in front of the store. The male, later identified as [VICTIM #1], did not speak English well so I had Officer Sosa en route to help with translation. While waiting for Officer Sosa, I observed the male to have red glassy eyes and I could smell the scent of alcohol coming from his person. EMS advised me that [VICTIM #1] possibly had a compound fracture on his left lower leg. EMS removed part of [VICTIM #1]’s jeans and I was able to see blood pooling near his left ankle.

Once Officer Sosa arrived on scene, he spoke with [VICTIM #1] briefly. Due to [VICTIM #1]’s condition, it was difficult to understand what he was saying. I spoke more with [WITNESS #1]. She advised that she had been closing up the store when [VICTIM #1] had came in. She informed me that she told [VICTIM #1] to leave since they were closing the store at that time. She stated that [VICTIM #1] then went back outside. [WITNESS #1] stated that once she was done closing up the store, she walked outside to find [VICTIM #1] laying on the ground. [WITNESS #1] advised that [VICTIM #1] told her that he had been ran over by a vehicle. [WITNESS #1] seemed to think that the person driving the vehicle was [VICTIM #1]’s friend. She stated that she thought that they lived together in the apartments behind the store.

While speaking with [WITNESS #1], I noticed a video camera at the front door of the store pointing towards the parking lot. [WITNESS #1] stated that she could review the footage and provide me a copy of anything relevant. While standing outside, [WITNESS #1] was able to show me a quick video of the incident before her phone died. The video footage showed a black Chevy SUV parked in front of the store. [VICTIM #1] is on the ground next to the driver side front wheel and another male is standing over [VICTIM #1] appearing to either try to move him or pick him up. The other male is seen wearing jeans, a grey Nike shirt, and a blue hat. The male then walks out of frame. The time stamp for the clip was 22:31 hours. [WITNESS #1] advised me that the video camera was 1 hour ahead so the real time of the video should be 21:31 hours.

Officer Sosa and I relocated to the apartments behind the store (2312 Stone Place) in the attempt to locate the suspect vehicle. As we walked closer to the apartments, I observed a black Chevy SUV (Ga tag #[REDACTED]) parked in front of apartment [REDACTED]. The vehicle appeared to match the black Chevy SUV seen in the video footage. When we approached the vehicle, I found the driver to be passed out in the driver seat. The vehicle was still running and it was in drive. Officer Sosa reached into the vehicle to place it in park and take the keys out. I attempted to wake up the driver by shaking his shoulders and announcing ourselves. It took several tries but eventually the driver woke up. The driver, identified as Ignacio Gomez-Lopez, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. I could smell the scent of alcohol coming from his person. He also had red glassy eyes and slurred speech. We asked Ignacio to exit the vehicle. Ignacio did not comply. Officer Sosa and I opened Ignacio’s driver side door and assisted him out of the vehicle. As he got out, he fell to the ground and could not get back up without assistance due to his high level of intoxication. While on the ground, Officer Sosa detained Ignacio in handcuffs. We then sat him up and I read him his miranda rights. Officer Sosa spoke with Ignacio briefly. He informed me that Ignacio admitted to being with [VICTIM #1] earlier this date. Ignacio also stated that he had about 5 modelos this evening. It should be noted that Ignacio was wearing jeans, a Nike shirt, and a blue hat. He matched the male driver from the video of the accident.

Based on the video footage and Ignacio being found in physical control of his motor vehicle, the decision was made to place Ignacio under arrest for DUI. I did not think that we could safely administer the standard field sobriety tests so those were foregone. Officer Sosa searched Ignacio incident to arrest. Ignacio was secured with a seat belt in the back of my patrol vehicle. Officer Sosa read Ignacio implied consent for those 21 of age and older. Ignacio agreed to take the state chemical test for breath.

I then transported Ignacio to the Whitfield County Jail. At the jail, I secured my department issued firearm in my vehicle’s lock box. Ignacio and his property were turned over into the custody of the booking officers. The back of my patrol vehicle was searched prior to and following transportation. Officer Shope performed the state intoxilyzer 9000 test. Ignacio blew a 0.255 BrAC and a 0.261 BrAC.

I then relocated to the Hamilton Medical Center to speak with [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] was a little more coherent at this time. When asked what happened [VICTIM #1] stated that he had been walking to the store when Ignacio drove up fast in the parking lot. [VICTIM #1] stated that Ignacio quickly accelerated and collided into his back while he was in the parking lot. [VICTIM #1] stated that Ignacio then left, he believed that Ignacio drove back to their apartment. When asked if he had been drinking, [VICTIM #1] stated that he only had 2 drinks. I was informed by hospital staff that [VICTIM #1] had a blood alcohol level of 0.297. [VICTIM #1] stated that he and Ignacio are friends and live together in apartment [REDACTED] of the apartment complex behind 2312 E Morris St. While at the hospital, I confirmed that [VICTIM #1] had a compound fracture in his left lower leg. [VICTIM #1] also appeared to have some scrapes on both of his elbows. I did not notice any other significant injuries.

By the time I was completed at the hospital, [WITNESS #1] was able to send me the remaining video of the incident. I reviewed the video footage. The footage showed a black SUV parked outside of the store. The SUV backs up a few feet and then stops. [VICTIM #1] then walks into frame and appears to be talking to the driver of the SUV. He and another male approach the vehicle. As [VICTIM #1] walks in front of the vehicle, the vehicle drives forward and hits [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1]’s leg gets caught in the wheel and he falls onto his back. The driver side front wheel appears to be on top of [VICTIM #1]’s leg. The vehicle drives forward to free [VICTIM #1]’s leg. The driver (Ignacio) then exits the vehicle. He appears unsteady on his feet as he walks around and even falls down to the ground at one point while trying to help [VICTIM #1]. The video ends when Ignacio gets back into his vehicle and drives off in the direction of the apartments.

Based on the statements given and video evidence, I relocated back to the Whitfield County Jail and charged Ignacio on warrantless arrest form #70055 for O.C.G.A. 40-6-394 Serious injury by vehicle, 40-6-391(p)(5) DUI-alcohol, 0.08 or more, and 40-6-270 hit and run.

A GEARS report under this same case number will be completed for the motor vehicle accident.

[End of Narrative]