Santos Salgado-Sarmiento

Name:
Salgado-Sarmiento, Santos Alberto

Date of Booking:
06/06/2026

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

Failure To Maintain Lane

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

Duty Upon Striking Fixed Object

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.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on June 06, 2026]

On June 6, 2026, at approximately 1701 hours, deputies were notified of a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) vehicle traveling northbound on Interstate 75 near mile marker 331. The Whitfield County Communications Center advised that the vehicle was described as a white Ford Expedition and that they had received numerous calls regarding its operation.

Dispatch advised that callers reported the vehicle was being driven in a reckless manner, swerving into the median and striking a guardrail before continuing northbound. Communications further advised that the BOLO vehicle had subsequently been involved in a collision with a black Chevrolet Equinox.

Additional callers reported that the suspect vehicle had pulled into the old weigh station near mile marker 337. Prior to deputies’ arrival, [WITNESS #1], a witness to the incident, made contact with the driver and advised that he detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle.

Deputies arrived on scene shortly thereafter and made contact with the driver, who was identified as Santos Salgado-Sarmiento.

Lt. Rann instructed Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento to turn off the vehicle and exit. Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento complied by handing Lt. Rann the vehicle’s keys and stepping out of the vehicle. While exiting, Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento appeared to be unsteady on his feet. Lt. Rann asked Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento when he had last consumed an alcoholic beverage. Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento responded, “yesterday,” and further stated that he had last consumed alcohol during the morning hours of the previous day.

While speaking with Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento outside of the vehicle, Deputy Weaver detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his person. The odor appeared to become more pronounced when Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento spoke and responded to questions. During the encounter, Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento repeatedly apologized to multiple deputies without being prompted.

When asked where he was traveling from, Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento initially stated that he was coming from Honduras. He later corrected himself and advised that he was returning to his residence in Red Bank, Tennessee, from a job site in Dalton, Georgia. While speaking with Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento, Deputy Weaver observed that his eyes were red and glassy. She also noted that his speech was consistently slurred throughout the encounter. Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento also advised that he was unsure where he was when asked.

When Deputy Weaver sought clarification regarding Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento’s statement that he had last consumed alcohol the previous morning, Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento changed his account and stated that he had not consumed any alcohol at all. During this exchange, he again repeatedly apologized to deputies.

Deputy Weaver observed disabling damage to Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento’s vehicle. The damage included a dent to the front right bumper, scratches and paint transfer along the entire right side of the vehicle, and a flat right front tire. The observed damage was consistent with the reported collision with the guardrail and the black Chevrolet Equinox.

Deputy Middlebrook responded to the collision scene and conducted the initial accident investigation. Refer to Deputy Middlebrook’s supplemental report for additional details regarding the collision investigation. Deputy Weaver requested that Lt. Rann administer Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) to Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento. Refer to Lt. Rann’s supplemental report for further details regarding the administration and results of the SFSTs.

Following the administration of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) by Lt. Rann, Deputy Weaver placed Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento under arrest. Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento was handcuffed behind his back, and the handcuffs were checked for proper fit and double-locked for safety. He was then secured in the rear seat of Deputy Weaver’s patrol vehicle.

While seated in the patrol vehicle, Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento was read the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for individuals 21 and over. He consented to providing a breath sample for chemical testing. Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento was also advised of his Miranda Rights and agreed to speak with deputies regarding the incident. Deputy Weaver reread Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento Georgia Implied Consent Notice for individuals 21 and over, where he agreed to provide a sample of his blood for chemical testing.

When asked if he remembered striking a guardrail with his vehicle, Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento responded, “Yes, that’s why I stopped.” Deputies were aware that the guardrail collision had occurred approximately eight miles south of the location where he ultimately stopped. When asked why he continued driving after the collision, Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento stated that there were a lot of vehicles on the roadway and that the old weigh station was the only safe location where he could pull over.

Deputies noted that Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento had passed two interstate exits before stopping. Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento also admitted to striking another vehicle. During the transport and subsequent investigation, he repeatedly requested that deputies take him back to his home in Honduras.

Deputy Weaver transported Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento to the Whitfield County Detention Center without incident. Upon arrival, Lt. Rann obtained a Georgia Bureau of Investigation Blood Alcohol Test Kit, and Sgt. Curtis, a certified phlebotomist, conducted the blood draw. As Sgt. Curtis prepared to collect the blood sample, Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento questioned why the sample was being taken and stated, in substance, that there was no need because he was drunk. Sgt. Curtis, Lt. Rann, and Deputy Weaver were all present and heard this statement.

Deputy Weaver issued Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento the following citations: Citation No. WC505509-O.C.G.A. 40-6-391(a)(1), Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI), Citation No. WC505510-O.C.G.A. 40-6-48, Failure to Maintain Lane, Citation No. WC505511-O.C.G.A. 40-6-270, Hit and Run, Citation No. WC505512-O.C.G.A. 40-6-272, Duty Upon Striking a Fixed Object

Mr. Salgado-Sarmiento was subsequently turned over to the custody of Whitfield County Detention Center staff without further incident. Photographs obtained during the investigation were uploaded and submitted into Evidence.com as evidence.

This case is considered Cleared by Arrest. At this time, no further action is required by the agency.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on June 06, 2026]

Lt. Rann reports that on 06/06/26 at approximately 1701 hours, a Be On The Lookout (BOLO) was given out for a white Ford SUV displaying a TN tag on I-75 Northbound mile marker 331 due to the vehicle striking a guardrail and another vehicle before continuing northbound on the interstate. One of the callers for the BOLO advised that he had dashcam footage of the crash and the suspect’s driving. Lt. Rann began responding to the interstate.

Dispatch advised that the caller, [WITNESS #1], was out with the vehicle at the old rest area (approximately mile marker 337-338) after the vehicle pulled over. Dispatch advised that [WITNESS #1] stated he could smell alcoholic beverage emitting from the vehicle. Lt. Rann arrived shortly after the vehicle pulled over and found [WITNESS #1] standing at the driver door speaking with the driver and sole occupant of the SUV.

Lt. Rann observed the white Ford Expedition to be displaying TN tag [REDACTED]. [WITNESS #1] gave Lt. Rann the occupant’s driver’s license and the vehicle documentation showing the driver to be Santos Salgado-Sarmiento. Lt. Rann could smell the strong, distinct odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from the vehicle. Lt. Rann observed that Santos had red, glassy eyes and was slurring his words while talking. Lt. Rann asked Santos how much he had to drink. Santos advised that he had not drank anything. Lt. Rann asked Santos when was the last time he had drank. Santos advised that he last drank the day prior in the morning.

Lt. Rann asked Santos to turn off the vehicle and Santos complied handing Lt. Rann his keys. Deputies Weaver, James, and Loftis all arrived at this time. Santos exited the vehicle. As he was exiting, Santos was unsteady on his feet. Lt. Rann searched Santos person to confirm that he was not armed. Lt. Rann spoke with Trooper Chiesa on the scene due to not knowing if it was Santos’ level of suspected intoxication or a limited English proficiency. After determining that Santos could understand English well, Trooper Chiesa turned the scene over to Deputies.

Lt. Rann spoke with [WITNESS #1] briefly and got his information. [WITNESS #1] advised that he had dashcam footage of the incident that he could provide Deputies. [WITNESS #1] was released from the scene at that time with instructions on how to upload the dashcam footage to Evidence.com.

Deputy Weaver asked that Lt. Rann assist her with conducting field sobriety testing on Santos. Lt. Rann had Santos step to the rear of his vehicle. Lt. Rann continued to smell the odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from Santos’ person. Lt. Rann spoke with Santos about any potential issues with his eyes or any recent head injuries. Santos advised that the had no problems.

Lt. Rann had Santos get into the instructional position for the first field sobriety test, the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN). Lt. Rann explained the testing procedure to Santos. Santos advised that he understood. Lt. Rann began the test. Lt. Rann noted that both eyes tracked equally and Santos’ pupil size was correct for the amount of light at that time of the day. Lt. Rann checked both eyes for lack of smooth pursuit. Lt. Rann observed both eyes to have lack of smooth pursuit.

Lt. Rann next checked for distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation. Lt. Rann observed both eyes to demonstrate nystagmus at maximum deviation. Lt. Rann then checked for onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. Lt. Rann did observe the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes. Lt. Rann then checked for vertical nystagmus. No vertical nystagmus was noted.

Six of six clues were noted in the HGN test. During testing, Santos had to be reminded of the instructions several times due to bringing his eyes back to center without being instructed to do so. Lt. Rann asked Santos again how much he had to drink and Santos advised again that he had not drank since the day prior.

Lt. Rann then walked with Santos to a flat spot area where he/Rann would instruct Santos on the walk and turn test. Lt. Rann had Santos get in the instructional position and stay there while Lt. Rann instructed Santos on the testing procedure as well as demonstrated it to him. Lt. Rann observed that Santos began the test prior to being instructed to do so. Lt. Rann then instructed Santos to begin the test. Santos missed heel to toe on step five on the initial phase, made an improper turn, missed heel to toe on step five on the return and stepped offline, and took ten steps on the return. Lt. Rann observed five of eight clues.

Lt. Rann then had Santos get into the instructional position for the one leg stand test. Lt. Rann instructed Santos on the testing procedure as well as demonstrated it to him. Santos began the test when instructed to do so. Lt. Rann observed no clues during this test.

Lt. Rann asked Santos to give a preliminary breath sample on his/Rann’s department issued Alco-sensor. Santos agreed to give a preliminary breath sample. Lt. Rann showed Santos the alco-sensor reading of .000 prior to providing the sample. Santos did not place his lips on the alco-sensor tube and just blew in the direction of the tube. Lt. Rann was still able to capture some of Santos’ breath. Santos breath showed a positive indication for alcohol (.202).

Deputy Weaver placed Santos under arrest for DUI at that time. See Deputy Weaver’s report for further regarding Santos’ arrest. The list wrecker, Doug Yates, was contacted to respond and pick up the vehicle. Lt. Rann along with Deputies James and Loftis conducted a search of the vehicle for fruits of the crime (alcoholic beverages). An empty Modelo beer can was located behind the center console in the rear floorboard of the vehicle. No other alcoholic beverages were located. An inventory of the vehicle was conducted by Deputies James and Loftis.

Lt. Rann left the location to assist Deputy Weaver at the jail while Deputy Loftis waited for the list wrecker to arrive. At the jail, Lt. Rann obtained a blood kit for Deputy Weaver and took it to booking due to Santos agreeing to a blood draw.

Sgt. Curtis, a licensed phlebotomist, took Santos to the nurse’s station exam room to conduct the blood draw. While Sgt. Curtis was preparing for the blood draw, Santos asked a few different times why it was necessary to do the blood draw since he was drunk. This was asked in the presence of Sgt. Curtis, Lt. Rann, and Deputy Weaver. Santos consented to the draw and Sgt. Curtis did obtain two vials of Santos’ blood that she sealed in a GBI toxicology kit. The kit was turned over to Deputy Weaver and Santos was released to booking staff at that time to await charges.

[End of Narrative]