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Name:
Lucero-Fonceca, Tomas Arnoldo
Date of Booking:
06/01/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Dui- Driving Under Influence Of Alcohol
Driving Without A Valid License, Misd
Hit & Run; Driver To Stop/ Return To Accident Scene
Reckless Driving
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 June 1, 2026, at approximately 2013 hours, Whitfield County 9-1-1 received a call from [WITNESS #1] reporting a hit-and-run collision in the area of South Dixie Highway and Treadmill Road. The caller advised that a maroon Dodge Ram had struck a red Toyota and fled the scene.
Witness [WITNESS #1], who was present at the crash scene, stated that he observed the maroon Ram traveling from left to right in the roadway prior to the collision.
Sgt. Sharpe arrived on scene and observed Vehicle 2, a red 2007 Toyota Camry displaying Georgia tag [REDACTED], facing southeast off the roadway. The driver, identified as [VICTIM #1], had already been loaded into an ambulance prior to Sgt. Sharpe’s arrival. Ms. [VICTIM #1] was transported to Hamilton Medical Center for treatment.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated she had been traveling southbound on South Dixie Highway at approximately 45 MPH. She observed Vehicle 1, a maroon 2017 Ram displaying Georgia tag [REDACTED], traveling northbound on South Dixie Highway. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated the Ram was weaving back and forth between the left and right sides of the roadway. She advised that the Ram crossed into her lane of travel, struck her vehicle, and continued driving northbound without stopping.
Sgt. Sharpe observed damage to a fence belonging to the residence located at [1700 BLOCK] South Dixie Highway. Whitfield County Dispatch attempted to contact the property owner but was unable to make contact.
Sgt. Sharpe also observed a Ram tire lying in the middle of the southbound lane of South Dixie Highway in front of [1700 BLOCK] South Dixie Highway.
Doug Yates Towing was requested for vehicle removal. Officers with the Dalton Police Department remained on scene until the tow truck arrived.
Sgt. Sharpe then responded to [400 BLOCK] Cedar Street after learning that the Dalton Police Department had been dispatched to that location regarding a possible crash involving a maroon Ram. Dalton Police Department officers determined the vehicle at that location had not been involved in a separate crash but was the same vehicle involved in the collision at South Dixie Highway and Treadmill Road. Officers learned that when Mr. Lucero Fonceca pulled into [400 BLOCK] Cedar Street, a bystander identified as [REDACTED] took his keys away before he could drive off.
Upon arrival at [400 BLOCK] Cedar Street, Sgt. Sharpe observed a maroon 2017 Ram displaying Georgia tag [REDACTED] parked in a parking space. The vehicle was leaning toward the driver’s side. As Sgt. Sharpe approached, he observed the front driver’s-side tire was missing.
Sgt. Sharpe observed Tomas Lucero Fonceca sitting on a curb with officers from the Dalton Police Department. Sgt. Sharpe detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Mr. Lucero Fonceca’s person. Sgt. Sharpe waited for Deputy Garcia to arrive to assist with translation.
Sgt. Sharpe advised Mr. Lucero Fonceca of his Miranda rights in English. Deputy Garcia then read the rights to him in Spanish. Initially, Mr. Lucero Fonceca stated he did not wish to speak. Sgt. Sharpe escorted Mr. Lucero Fonceca to the front of his patrol vehicle. While walking, Mr. Lucero Fonceca appeared unsteady on his feet.
Deputy Garcia remained with Mr. Lucero Fonceca while Sgt. Sharpe checked his information. While standing near the patrol vehicle, Mr. Lucero Fonceca voluntarily stated that he wished to speak. Sgt. Sharpe confirmed that Mr. Lucero Fonceca understood his rights and still wished to talk. Mr. Lucero Fonceca stated that he did.
Mr. Lucero Fonceca stated he had been arguing with his wife and had been speaking with her on the phone while driving. He stated he became increasingly upset and subsequently struck a dark-colored vehicle. Mr. Lucero Fonceca admitted that he knew his vehicle was operating on only three tires following the collision but continued driving. When asked whether he understood that driving on three wheels endangered other motorists, he stated that he did.
Sgt. Sharpe asked Mr. Lucero Fonceca whether he wore glasses or contact lenses, and he stated that he did not. Mr. Lucero Fonceca also stated he had no medical conditions and had not suffered a recent head injury.
Sgt. Sharpe administered the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) evaluation. Both eyes tracked equally. Sgt. Sharpe observed the following clues:
- Lack of Smooth Pursuit in both eyes
- Distinct and Sustained Nystagmus at Maximum Deviation in both eyes
- Onset of Nystagmus Prior to 45 Degrees in both eyes
A total of six out of six possible clues were observed.
Sgt. Sharpe attempted to administer the Walk-and-Turn evaluation. However, Mr. Lucero Fonceca was unable to maintain the starting position and could not place his right foot directly in front of his left foot. Mr. Lucero Fonceca then placed his hands behind his back and told deputies to take him to jail.
Sgt. Sharpe read Georgia’s Implied Consent Notice for suspects age 21 and over in English and requested that Mr. Lucero Fonceca submit to a state-administered chemical test of his breath. Deputy Garcia then read the Implied Consent Notice in Spanish. Mr. Lucero Fonceca refused the requested test.
Doug Yates Towing responded and removed the Ram from the scene. Sgt. Sharpe remained with the vehicle until it was towed.
Based on the investigation, statements made by Mr. Lucero Fonceca, the evidence at the crash scene, his driving behavior, physical indicators of impairment, performance during field sobriety testing, and refusal of the state-administered chemical test, Sgt. Sharpe placed Mr. Lucero Fonceca under arrest.
Sgt. Sharpe transported Mr. Lucero Fonceca to the Whitfield County Jail and issued the following citations:
WC505472 – O.C.G.A. 40-5-20(a), Driving Without a Valid License
WC505473 – O.C.G.A. 40-6-391(a)(1), Driving Under the Influence (Less Safe)
WC505474 – O.C.G.A. 40-6-270, Hit and Run
WC505475 – O.C.G.A. 40-6-390, Reckless Driving
Mr. Lucero Fonceca was turned over to jail booking staff without incident.
This case is closed by arrest.
[End of Narrative]