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Name:
Ramirez, Michael
Date of Booking:
06/29/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI- Driving Under The Influence Of Drugs
Failure To Stop At Stop Sign
Driving While License Is Suspended Or Revoked, Misd
No Insurance
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 6/29/26 at 0300 I was traveling west on Waterworks St near Selvidge St. I observed a white passenger car (Ga tag [REDACTED BY AGENCY]) turn left (south) onto Selvidge St. The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and did not make a complete stop at the intersection.
I followed the vehicle and also observed the vehicle turn right (west) onto E Tyler St without stopping for the stop sign. The vehicle then turned right onto Jeans St. I initiated my emergency equipment and conducted a traffic stop on Jeans St near Matilda St.
I made contact with the driver, Michael. Michael was eating an ice cream cone. Michael had a very relaxed, glazed over look on his face. I explained the reason for my stop. Michael initially stated that he had issues with his brakes but later admitted to the fact that he was trying to get away from me for fear that I would pull him over. I asked Michael if he had been drinking alcohol or had consumed any drugs. He stated that he regularly smoked marijuana but denied smoking it recently. I asked him when he last smoked marijuana. He stated the day before.
Officer Miller 657 arrived on scene to assist me.
Michael spoke very slowly and there was an unusually long period of time between my questions and his answers.
I ran Michael and his vehicle through GCIC and discovered that his license was suspended and that vehicle did not have insurance. Since I knew that I would arrest Michael for the suspended license I read him his miranda rights from my department issued miranda card and asked if he understood his rights. Michael requested that I read the rights a second time. I did so. He seemed very confused when I asked him if he understood his rights. I allowed him to read the rights himself directly from my card. He finally agreed that he understood his rights and consented to me asking him further questions.
I asked Michael to perform field sobriety tests. He agreed.
I first checked Michael’s eyes for Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus. I asked Michael if he had any medical conditions and he stated that he had some kind of issue with his back but nothing that would prevent him from taking my test. I explained and demonstrated the test. I observed no validated clues from this test.
I then explained and demonstrated the 9 step walk and turn. Michael asked me how many steps he should take after my instructions. I told him to take 9 steps, then make the demonstrated turn, and then take 9 steps in the other direction. He stated that he understood my instructions. Michael moved very slowly he also failed to follow my instructions and walked way past the correct number of steps. I finally had to stop him and correct him. These are the clues that I observed:
Cannot maintain balance while listening to instructions
Uses arms for balance
Misses heel to toe
Steps off line
Stops while walking
Incorrect number of steps
Improper turn
Total clues 7/8
I then explained and demonstrated the One Leg Stand. He stated that he understood my instructions. These are the clues that I observed:
Uses arms for balance
I then ran Michael through ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement) tests due to my suspicion that he was impaired on drugs.
I explained and demonstrated the test for lack of convergence. During this test I observed that Michael’s right eye had lack of convergence.
I then explained and demonstrated the finger to nose test. During this test Michael moved extremely slow and missed his finger to the tip of his nose 2 times.
I then explained and demonstrated the Modified Romberg Test. Michael estimated 30 seconds in approximately 30 seconds. He stated that he counted to 30.
Due to the driving that I observed, the slow speech and glazed over look, the admission to regularly consuming marijuana, the field sobriety, the slow deliberate movements, the difficulty that Michael had with following directions and answering questions, and the overall mannerisms that he displayed, I determined that Michael was impaired beyond the ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
I placed Michael under arrest for DUI drugs. I handcuffed, searched and seat belted Michael into my patrol vehicle. Michael stated that there is a THC pre rolled joint in his car that he purchased from a gas station.
I read Michael implied consent notification for persons 21 years old or older from my department issued implied consent card. Michael asked me to read the notification a second time and seemed to have a very difficult time answering when I asked for a state administered chemical test of his blood. Finally, after grasping the concept of my question he stated that he would provide a sample of his blood.
Michael’s vehicle was searched and inventoried for the tow sheet. I discovered the pre-rolled THC in Michael’s backseat. S&M towed the vehicle.
I transported Michael to the Whitfield County Jail and Sgt Brewer (booking staff) administered the blood draw as she is trained and qualified to do so. The sample was collected in a BA kit.
The Ba kit and the THC pre roll were turned into property and evidence at the Dalton Police Department.
I cited Michael with the following:
Citation #630511 OCGA 40-6-391A2 DUI less safe drugs
Citation #630512 OCGA 40-6-72B Failure to stop at a stop sign
Citation #630513 OCGA 40-5-121 Driving while license suspended
Citation #630514 OCGA 40-6-10 No insurance
All paperwork, property, and Michael were turned over to booking staff. My gun was secured while at the jail. My backseat was searched prior to and after transport, Michael is a citizen. He had no medical issues to report to me.
[End of Narrative]