Name of Accused:
Echeverri Arias, Laura
Date of Arrest:
06/16/2023
Charges for Arrest:
OPEN CONTAINER ALCOHOL IN VEHICLE
DUI – LESS SAFE
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 16, 2023, at approximately 9:43 am, I responded to [400 BLOCK] Preston Glen Circle in reference to unknown trouble. Before my arrival, dispatch advised a female was passed out behind the steering wheel. The caller said she attempted to wake the female up but was unable to. The caller stated the female driver was breathing but is not waking up.
At approximately 9:00 am I previously drove through the neighborhood and didn’t observe the vehicle stopped in the roadway. Upon arrival, I observed the driver, Laura Echeverria Arias, was being examined by Cherokee EMS. While they were speaking with Laura, I could smell the odor of alcoholic beverages emitting from her vehicle.
Laura asked why we were out with her. Laura informed us that she works at Chick-Fil-A next to perimeter mall and she was late for work. After Cherokee EMS medically cleared her for any injuries I asked for Laura to step out of her vehicle, to which she complied. Laura stumbled exiting the vehicle causing me to assist her from falling.
I asked Laura to step in front of my patrol vehicle. As Laura was walking, she was unsteady on her feet and was unable to walk in a straight line. I asked Laura where she was coming from. Laura said she dropped her son off at Summer Camp and was going to work.
I asked Laura if she had consumed any alcoholic beverages today. She said no. I informed her that I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her. I asked if she was willing to perform the standardized field sobriety evaluations. She agreed. I performed the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus evaluation. I observed the following clues.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Results
Lack of Smooth Pursuit
Distinct and Sustained Nystagmus at Maximum deviation
Onset of Nystagmus Prior to 45 Degrees.
All clues were observed in both eyes. While performing the evaluation, Laura had difficulty following the stimuli (my finger). Also, she lost her balance and began falling into my push bumper. Sergeant Hite performed the Lack of Convergence evaluation. He informed me her right eye didn’t converge on the stimuli.
I asked Laura if she wanted to perform the walk-and-turn evaluation. Laura said it was up to me. I informed her the evaluations were voluntary. She agreed to perform the evaluation. I demonstrated and explained the evaluation. I observed the following:
Walk and Turn Results
Instructional Phase
Breaks Stance
Walking Phase
Missed Heel to Toe
Stepped off Line
Used Arms for Balance
Stopped while walking
Improper Turn
Incorrect Number of Steps (23 total steps)
I asked if was Laura willing to perform the one-leg stand evaluation. I demonstrated and explained the evaluation. I observed the following:
One Leg Stand Results
Puts Foot Down
Uses arms for Balance
Laura asked on numerous occasions can she hold Sergeant Hite for balance. Due to her being unable to complete the evaluation I stopped.
Based on the results from the field sobriety evaluations I determined she was an impaired driver. I informed Laura she was under arrest placed her in handcuffs checked for proper fit and double-locked them. I placed her in the backseat of my patrol vehicle.
I read her the Georgia Implied Consent Notice Suspects Age 21 or Over asking for a sample of his blood. She agreed. I transported Laura to station 11 for the blood draw. The blood draw was conducted by EMS [REDACTED] and sealed in the GBI Blood/Alcohol Toxicology kit.
I transported Laura to the adult detention center and transferred custody to the deputies in the facility without incident. Laura was charged with and issued citations for Driving under the influence of Alcohol and an Open Container of Alcohol. The vehicle was towed to Daniel’s wrecker lot. The blood kit was placed into evidence.
[End of Narrative]
