Name of Accused:
Howell, Rebecca
Date of Arrest:
06/14/2023
Charges for Arrest:
DUI – 0.08G/ PER SE 21 OR OLDER
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 14, 2023, I responded to the area of East Cherokee Drive and Union Hill Road as a backup unit to Sergeant Cook’s traffic stop. Sergeant Cook informed me he conducted a traffic stop on a red 2023 Chevrolet Camaro (GA tag [REDACTED]) for failing to maintain their lane of travel and driving with drastically altering speeds.
I approached the driver of the vehicle, who I later identified as Rebecca Howell. I introduced myself to Rebecca and asked her to turn her vehicle off and exit the vehicle. Rebecca slowly exited the vehicle and appeared somewhat unsteady on her feet while walking back to Sergeant Cook’s patrol car.
I asked Rebecca where she was coming from, and she stated she was coming from her ex’s house near the area of Trinity Church Road and Freehome Road. Rebecca stated she was trying to get home to Buffington Way within the Forest Creek subdivision.
I asked Rebecca why she was driving south on East Cherokee Drive instead of driving west on Cumming Highway to get home and she stated her route was due to the construction on Union Hill Road. I remarked that the construction would not have affected driving home on Cumming Highway, and Rebecca stated she just did not like driving through the front of the neighborhood.
I explained to Rebecca that I could observe several physical manifestations of alcohol impairment as being displayed by her (the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her breath, increased emotional state, relaxed inhibitions, slurring speech, bloodshot watery eyes, swaying).
I asked Rebecca how much alcohol she had to drink. Rebecca stated she had drank 4 regular Michelob Ultra beers between 5:00 pm and the time she was pulled over, which she drank with food. I asked Rebecca if she would participate in field sobriety evaluations and she agreed.
I asked Rebecca if she had any medical issues or took any medications. Rebecca stated the only medical condition she had was diabetes, for which she had an insulin pump and glucose monitor attached to her. I asked Rebecca if she wore contacts or glasses, and she stated she was wearing clear contacts.
I instructed Rebecca on the horizontal gaze nystagmus evaluation. I checked Rebecca’s eyes for equal pupil size and equal tracking. During this evaluation, I observed the following clues and indicators:
-Lack of smooth pursuit (both eyes).
-Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation (both eyes).
-The onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees (both eyes, almost immediate onset).
-Vertical nystagmus was also observed.
I instructed Rebecca on the walk-and-turn evaluation. During this evaluation, I observed the following clues:
-cannot balance during the instructional phase
-steps offline
-misses heel-to-toe
-uses arms for balance
-stops while walking
-improper turn
