Kyle Griffin

Name:
Griffin, Kyle Matthew

Date of Booking:
09/10/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggravated Assault, Other Weapon

False Statement/ Writing/ Conceal Facts With Govt

Dui-alcohol, 0.08g Or More Within 3 Hours Or More

Hit & Run; Driver To Stop/ Return To Accident Scene

Reckless Driving

Aggressive Driving

Improper U-turns

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 09/09/25 at or around 2311, I met with [VICTIM #1] at Civitan Park who wished to report a hit and run.

[VICTIM #1] stated that she had turned onto Shugart Rd from Waugh St traveling north. She stated that she observed a gray passenger car (2024 Nissan Sentra Ga Tag #[REDACTED]) leave from the Stonebrook Apartments on Heathcliff Dr. She stated that she was driving behind the vehicle when they were approaching 865 Shugart Rd when the vehicle slammed on its brakes. She stated that she honked her horn at the vehicle for the sudden, abrupt stop and continued driving. She stated that the vehicle then began doing a “donut” and conducted a U turn.

She then stated that she approached the traffic signal at Chattanooga Rd sitting stationary when the vehicle collided with the rear end of her vehicle. She stated that the vehicle fled the scene of the accident, conducted a U turn in the intersection, and began traveling south on Shugart Rd at a high rate of speed.

She stated that she began to follow the vehicle in an attempt to get the tag number off the vehicle. She stated that the vehicle was traveling at such a high rate of speed that she was not able to catch up to it. She then stated that she stopped at Civitan Park and called 911. She stated that while she was waiting at the park, she observed the vehicle pass back by the park and turn onto Shugart Rd traveling north.

At this time, I informed other officers in the area that the vehicle could have returned to the Stonebrook Apartments. Officer Hill patrolled the area and was not able to locate the vehicle at this time. A few minutes later, Officer Cruz patrolled the area and located the vehicle pulling into the Stonebrook Apartments.

I then met with Officer Cruz and observed the gray Nissan Sentra sitting in a parking spot with a male (Kyle Griffin) sitting in the driver seat and a female [WITNESS #1] sitting in the passenger seat. I observed the vehicle to have significant damage to the front passenger side of the vehicle. At this time, I asked Kyle to step out of the vehicle and placed him in handcuffs and informed him that he was detained at this time.

I then informed him of his miranda rights and explained to him why he was detained. I informed him that the vehicle that he was occupying, with heavy damage to the front passenger side of the bumper, was described to be involved in a hit and run accident. He stated that the damage to the front of his vehicle was from [WITNESS #1] hitting a deer a few days ago.

When I observed the damage to the vehicle, I did not observe any signs that would indicate that a deer was hit. Instead, I found indications that the damage was caused from hitting another vehicle, for example, there was paint transfer on Kyles vehicle that matched the color of [VICTIM #1]’s vehicle which was a beige in color 2012 Toyota Camry. The damage also seemed to me that it was significantly more severe than the damaged that would be caused by hitting a deer.

I then began to speak with [WITNESS #1]. She was visibly upset during my interaction with her. She told me that Kyle had been drinking and had wanted to go purchase more alcohol. She stated that she got into the vehicle with him and they began driving north on Shugart Rd to go to a liquor store. She stated that he had realized that he forgotten his nicotine vape at home. She stated that he slammed on the brakes and abruptly stopped in the middle of the road and conducted a U turn. She stated that she remembered a car blowing their horn when he stopped in the road but could not remember what type of vehicle it was. She stated that when the car blew their horn, Kyle became very angry and began cursing and yelling.

She stated that he then immediately made another U turn and accelerated to a high rate of speed and began following the vehicle. She stated that he continued to follow the vehicle until it came to a stop at the traffic signal at Shugart Rd and Chattanooga Rd. At this time, she stated that he collided with the vehicle inentionally and continued to drive, making a U turn in the intersection and began traveling south on Shugart Rd at a high rate of speed away from the scene of the accident.

While I was speaking with Kyle, I could smell an overwhelming odor of mouthwash coming from the area of his mouth/face. In my experience, individuals will sometimes use mouthwash in an attempt to cover up the odor of alcohol. Since Kyle was already in handcuffs, I did not want to take him out of handcuffs to perform all three field sobriety tests, so I asked if he would be willing to conduct a test of his eyes by performing the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test. He stated that he would be willing to perform this test.

During this test, I observed the following 4 out of 6 clues:

• Lack of smooth pursuit
• Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation

I then read Kyle implied consent to which he agreed to submit to a state chemical test of his breath.

At this time, Officer Cruz transported Kyle to the Whitfield County Jail while I finished up my investigation on scene. Once I was complete with the investigation, I relocated to the Whitfield County Jail. Upon arrival, I placed my service weapon in the lock box in my vehicle. I then went inside and stood with Officer Hill while he retrieved a breath sample from Kyle using the intoxilyzer 9000 machine.

The results of the test resulted in Kyle having a blood alcohol content of 0.124 percent. Well above the legal limit of 0.08 bac to operate a motor vehicle. I then filled out a warrantless arrest form and charged Kyle with the following on form #70800:

• OCGA 16-5-21 Aggravated assault
• OCGA 40-6-270 Hit and run
• OCGA 16-10-20 False statements
• OCGA 40-6-390 Reckless driving
• OCGA 40-6-397 Aggressive driving
• OCGA 40-6-391 DUI
• OCGA 40-6-121 Improper U turn

I then filled out an administrative license suspension form and obtained Kyles drivers license. I then explained the form to him and had him sign the form acknowledging that he understood the notice of his license suspension. After I ensured that the booking staff did not need anything else from me, I returned to my vehicle and retrieved my service weapon from my vehicle before returning to service.

[End of Narrative]