According to a Georgia State Patrol incident report, On June 22nd, 2023, at 10:28 PM, Trooper Mefford responded to a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Lance Road and GA 156 involving a 2007 Ford Mustang. Trooper Mefford was advised by firefighters that the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Diontae Cole Gowan, 24, of Calhoun, had gotten into a grey BMW passenger car and fled the scene. Trooper Mefford was then advised that Gordon County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Carnes and Deputy Ralston had located Gowan on Newtown Church Road at Watercrest Drive. The BMW was found to be driven by Justin Tyler Chamlee, 23, of Calhoun, who was also stopped at the same location. Trooper Mefford reported, “When [I] arrived, [I] made contact with Mr. Gowan. [I] could immediately smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from him. Each time that he would speak or breathe toward me, the odor became very apparent. [I] asked Mr. Gowan if he was driving the Mustang that was crashed in the ditch on GA 156. He asked what color the Mustang was. [I] responded, stating that it was a yes or no question. He again asked what color the Mustang was. Realizing that he was not going to answer, [I] told him it was the Mustang that was registered to him. He advised that he was not driving a Mustang. [I] asked Mr. Gowan how much he had to drink. He advised a couple of beers. [I] asked Mr. Gowan how long ago. He stated, “I don’t know. I’ve had one maybe every 20 minutes or so.” During Standardized Field Sobriety Test, Gowan showed several signs of impairment and a BAC of .129 on a PBT. Chamlee was asked why he picked up Gowan, and he stated he didn’t know what was going on. Trooper Mefford also observed signs of impairment coming from Chamlee. During Standardized Field Sobriety Test, Chamlee showed several signs of impairment and a BAC of .08 on a PBT. Both Gowan and Chamlee were placed under arrest for DUI.
Calhoun men arrested for DUI after fleeing crash scene in Gordon County
