According to a Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office incident report, On May 29th, 2023, at 9:22 PM, Deputy Dennison was patrolling the area of the South Bypass and Old Grade Rd. Deputy Dennison observed a 2013 Toyota Camry with a headlight that was not functioning. Deputy Dennison observed the driver weaving all over the roadway. Deputy Dennison conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Sandra Denise Pierce, 59, of Dalton. According to the report, “Deputy Dennison asked Ms. Pierce if the vehicle was registered to her and stated that it wasn’t. Deputy Dennison observed that Ms. Pierce had her bright lights activated even though she was just behind another vehicle. Deputy Dennison also observed that Ms. Pierce was shaking and appeared to be extremely nervous. Ms. Pierce was rubbing her license on her leg while talking to Deputy Dennison. Deputy Dennison asked Ms. Pierce for her driver’s license, and she handed him her debit card before handing him her license. Deputy Dennison could smell the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from the vehicle. Deputy Dennison had Ms. Pierce exit the vehicle due to her possibly being impaired. When Ms. Pierce exited the vehicle, Deputy Dennison could smell the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her mouth area. Deputy Dennison asked Ms. Pierce if she had any alcoholic beverages to drink, and she stated that she did not. Deputy Dennison asked Ms. Pierce why an odor of an alcoholic beverage would be emitting from her breath, and she stated that she just ate Mexican food.” During Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Pierce showed several signs of impairment. Pierce advised she only had two shots of vodka. According to the report, “Deputy Dennison asked Ms. Pierce if she had any open containers of alcoholic beverages in her vehicle. Ms. Pierce stated that she did have an alcoholic beverage in her vehicle and then proceeded to ask Deputy Dennison, “What do you mean by open?” Ms. Pierce then appeared to lose her balance, and Deputy Dennison had to grab her to keep her from falling.” While searching the vehicle, Deputy Dennison located an open bottle of vodka. Deputy Dennison also located a prescription pill bottle containing venlafaxine. Pierce was placed under arrest for DUI and agreed to the state test. Pierce’s vehicle did not have valid insurance, and the registration expired in 2019. Pierce was booked into the Whitfield County Jail, and charged with DUI, no insurance, expired registration, headlight violation, and open container.
Dalton woman arrested for DUI after being stopped for headlight violation in Whitfield County
