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Name:
Townsend, Kenneth Ray Jr
Date of Booking:
09/05/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Dui- Driving Under Influence Of Alcohol
Operate Mv While Reg Is Suspended/ Revoked/ Cancel
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 September 5, 2026, Deputy Bethune was in the area of 933 Market St when he observed a male, identified as Kenneth Townsend, walking in the parking lot. Kenneth appeared to have difficulty walking normally as he would stumble regularly and at one point, Deputy Scott observed him fall to the ground. Both Deputy Bethune and Deputy Scott believed that Kenneth was heavily intoxicated. Deputy Scott then observed Kenneth attempting to move a motorcycle out of its parking spot, but was only walking it.
Kenneth then walked the motorcycle back into the parking spot. Deputy Bethune then went towards the entrance of 933 Market St just in case Kenneth attempted to drive due to the suspicion that he was impaired. Deputy Scott then advised Deputy Bethune that Kenneth had started the motorcycle and was currently riding it towards the exit of the parking lot. Deputy Scott stated that Kenneth almost wrecked while riding through the parking lot.
Deputy Bethune observed Kenneth exit the parking lot onto Market St and have difficulty keeping the motorcycle centered in the lane of travel. Deputy Bethune believed that Kenneth was about to wreck because he abruptly swerved several times within his lane. Believing that Kenneth may be operating the moving motor vehicle while impaired, he conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, identified as a 2005 Suzuki GSXR600 with GA tag [REDACTED]. Kenneth then entered into the parking lot of 1433 W Walnut Ave. When Kenneth attempted to pull into a parking stall to stop, he drove far enough into the stall that his front tire struck the curb and his bike rebounded backward.
Deputy Bethune then approached Kenneth and asked him to shut the vehicle off. Kenneth then started to speak with Deputy Bethune. Deputy Bethune immediately recognized that Kenneth appeared heavily intoxicated. Kenneth had extremely slurred speech and an overall drunk-like appearance. When asked to step off the bike, Kenneth struggled, and once he got off, he stumbled, and Deputy Bethune thought he was going to fall.
Deputy Bethune then detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Kenneth’s person/mouth area. When Kenneth removed his helmet, the odor because more noticeable and intense to Deputy Bethune. Deputy Bethune then asked Kenneth how much he had to drink, at which point Kenneth stated that he had four bottles of beer. Deputy Bethune then asked Kenneth if he would submit to a series of tests to make sure that he was safe to be driving. Kenneth agreed.
The first test that Deputy Bethune had Kenneth perform was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. Kenneth was unable to follow instructions to start this test as he would not keep his head still as instructed and follow the stimulus with his eyes only.
The next test that Deputy Bethune had Kenneth perform was the Walk and Turn. During this test, Deputy Bethune observed the following:
-Unable to balance during instructions*
-Steps off line*
-Misses heel-to-toe*
-Uses arms to balance*
-Improper turn*
-Incorrect number of steps*
-Starts too soon*
*For a total of 7/8 validated clues
The next test Deputy Bethune had Kenneth perform was the One Leg Stand. During this test, Deputy Bethune observed the following:
-Puts foot down*
*Unable to complete the test due to safety concerns of Kenneth falling
The next test Deputy Bethune had Kenneth perform was the Lack of Convergence test. During this test, Deputy Bethune observed the following:
-Lack of convergence present.
Throughout the entirety of the encounter with Kenneth, Deputy Bethune noticed that Kenneth was extremely uneasy on his feet and stumbled numerous times. He noticed that Kenneth had a difficult time speaking clearly or forming appropriate responses. Kenneth displayed a consistent drunk-like appearance.
Deputy Bethune then determined that Kenneth had been operating a moving motor vehicle while impaired. Deputy Bethune then placed Kenneth into handcuffs and advised him that he was under arrest. Deputy Bethune then read Kenneth his Georgia Implied Consent Notice and requested a blood and breath sample, but Kenneth refused.
Doug Yates Towing, the on-call wrecker service, was then called to the scene to take custody of Kenneth’s motorcycle.
Deputy Bethune then transported Kenneth to the Whitfield County Jail. While in route to the jail, Kenneth spontaneously uttered that he was intoxicated. Once at the jail, Kenneth was turned over to booking officers. Deputy Bethune charged Kenneth with OCGA 40-6-391A1 DUI Alcohol Less Safe on citation #WC506572 through Dalton Municipal Court.
[End of Narrative]