According to a Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office incident report, On February 21st, 2023, at 9:01 PM, Deputy Dennison was patrolling the area of North Thorton Ave and Professional Blvd when he observed a vehicle traveling towards him in the opposite lane. The vehicle entered Deputy Dennison’s lane and nearly hit him head-on. Deputy Dennison initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle at 1416 North Thorton Ave and made contact with the driver Tracy Raymond Steele, 48, of Dalton. According to the report, “Mr. Steele immediately became irate with Deputy Dennison. Due to Mr. Steele being aggressive, Deputy Dennison requested another unit. Deputy Fincher and Deputy Carter arrived on the scene to assist. Mr. Steele continued to be irate and used vulgar language and curse words. Mr. Steele was yelling and screaming. The gas station was open, and there were several people walking in and out of it that could hear what Mr. Steele was saying. Deputies smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from Mr. Steele’s mouth area. Mr. Steele did admit to drinking only two small beers prior to driving. Mr. Steele also admitted to answering his phone while driving, and he was touching the radio screen in his vehicle.” During field sobriety exams, Steele showed several signs of impairment. Steele was placed under arrest and transported to the Whitfield County Jail. Upon arrival at the detention center, Steele continued to be irate with deputies and booking staff. Deputy Dennison read Steele his implied consent notice, and Steele refused. Steele was charged with disorderly conduct, DUI alcohol less safe, distracted driving, and failure to maintain lane.
Dalton man becomes belligerent during traffic stop after nearly crashing head-on into deputy while DUI
