Name of Accused:
CHAMPION, LANDEN BLAKE
Date of Arrest:
06/17/2023
Charges for Arrest:
DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS
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 17, 2023, at approximately 01:44 hours, I was patrolling US Highway 27 when I observed a gold Mitsubishi Outlander (Tag: [REDACTED] Vin: [REDACTED]) driving southbound on Highway 27 with no rear lights activated. I began driving southbound on highway 27 to verify the lights were not activated on the Outlander.
While behind the vehicle, before activating my lights and sirens, I observed the vehicle failing to keep in the proper lane. I initiated a traffic stop by activating my lights and sirens on my marked patrol car. I exited my patrol car and made a passenger side approach.
I asked the driver, Landen Champion, where he was headed from tonight and he advised a friend’s house. I asked him did his friends not tell him he did not have all of his lights on and he responded asking me if they were on, and advised he had them fixed two weeks prior.
While returning back to my patrol car, I smelled an odor of marijuana coming from the Outlander. Upon returning back to the Outlander, making a driver’s side approach, I observed Landen’s eyes were very red. I asked him what were they doing at his friend’s house and he advised they were just hanging out and having a party.
I asked him when the last time he smoked in his vehicle was and he advised “not a lot.” I advised him that my question was when was the last time, after having trouble getting his words together and pausing for a second, he advised “this is my first time.”
I asked him how long ago was it and he repeated “this is my first time.” I asked again how long ago was it and he advised “at ten.” Landen said “he said it was supposed to wear off, and it never did and I was afraid to drive and get pulled over.” I advised him that failing to keep in his proper lane was one of the reason I initiated a traffic stop.
I asked him to exit the vehicle and did as he was asked. I asked him would take standardized field sobriety testing and he advised “yes.” I moved my patrol car back to give space for SFST. I informed Landen that I would check his eyes (Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus). I asked him if he wore glasses and he advised “no.”
