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Name:
Ruiz, Jessica
Date of Booking:
08/26/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
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 August 25, 2026, at approximately 1937 hours, the Whitfield County Communications Center dispatched Deputy Ochoa to the area of E. Morris Rd. and Keith St. in reference to a reported hit-and-run accident.
Upon arrival, Deputy Ochoa made contact with the caller, [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] stated that she was traveling westbound on E. Morris St. and entered the center turn lane to turn left onto Martha Sue Dr. [VICTIM #1] stated that she observed a white Toyota Corolla approaching her in the center turn lane while traveling eastbound on E. Morris St. Both vehicles stopped. [VICTIM #1] stated that the Toyota Corolla then moved forward and struck her vehicle. The driver of the Toyota Corolla subsequently placed the vehicle in reverse and left the scene.
[VICTIM #1] stated that her vehicle sustained a small white scuff mark on the front bumper. [VICTIM #1] was able to obtain a photograph of the Toyota Corolla’s license plate.
The passenger in [VICTIM #1]’s vehicle, identified as [WITNESS #1], provided an account consistent with [VICTIM #1]’s statement. [VICTIM #1] and [WITNESS #1] both described the driver of the Toyota Corolla as a younger Hispanic female with black hair.
Deputy Ochoa subsequently made contact by telephone with the registered owner of the Toyota Corolla, [WITNESS #2]. [WITNESS #2] confirmed that the Toyota Corolla was registered in her name but stated that her daughter, Jessica Ruiz, had been driving the vehicle. [WITNESS #2] stated that Jessica had told her she had been involved in a motor vehicle accident before leaving the residence.
Deputy Ochoa attempted to make contact with Jessica through the Whitfield County Communications Center but had no contact.
On August 26, 2026, at approximately 0112 hours, Deputy Ochoa and Sergeant Sharpe responded to [200 BLOCK] Keith St. in an attempt to make contact with Jessica Ruiz. Upon arrival, Deputy Ochoa observed the Toyota Corolla at the residence and located Jessica inside the vehicle.
Deputy Ochoa advised Jessica of her Miranda rights. Jessica stated to the Deputies that she had been traveling eastbound on E. Morris St. and entered the center turn lane to turn left onto Keith St. Jessica stated that she observed another vehicle approaching in the center turn lane while traveling westbound on E. Morris St. Both vehicles stopped. Jessica stated that she accidentally placed her vehicle in drive, causing it to move forward and make contact with the other vehicle. Jessica then placed the vehicle in reverse and proceeded to leave the scene.
Based on the statements provided by the involved parties and the information obtained during the investigation, Jessica was placed under arrest and issued citation #317713 for O.C.G.A. 40-6-270, Hit and Run; Duty of Driver to Stop at or Return to the Scene of an Accident.
Jessica was transported to the Whitfield County Jail, where she and her personal property were turned over to booking staff without incident.
This case will be cleared by arrest.
[End of Narrative]