According to a Dalton Police Department incident report, On September 17th, 2023, at 3:37 AM, Officer Jones was traveling east on Willowdale Road, passing the Willowdale Stay Lodge, the officer saw headlights approaching him traveling west. Officer Jones reported, “[I] then observed a white vehicle swerve left over the yellow lines. [I] made an evasive maneuver and then turned around in the roadway to stop the vehicle. [I] saw that the vehicle turned north on Crow Valley Road. The vehicle weaved from the interior yellow line and ran off of the roadway after moving to the right side of the road as we approached Deer Run. The officer then initiated a traffic stop on the Toyota into Huntington Place Apartments. The officer then made contact with the driver, Estephanie Medrano, 23, of Dalton, and advised the reason she was being stopped. Medrano stated she was trying to get her friends home from the Taboo Lounge after drinking. Officer Jones reported, “[I] detected the odor of alcoholic beverages coming from within the vehicle. [I] asked Medrano if she had consumed alcohol, and she stated she had only consumed one drink. [I] noticed that Medrano’s eyes were glassy, but [I] had not yet shined a light into them to see if they were bloodshot or not.” During field sobriety tests, Medrano showed several signs of impairment. Medrano then stated that she wished to have a lawyer present with her prior to any breath test. Medrano was placed under arrest and refused the state test. Officer Jones reported, “[I] told Medrano that “You can’t be driving out here like this.” Medrano stated that, “I think I can, but I also work for the DA’s office as a victim advocate, so I know better than to comply to anything without an attorney present”. Medrano was charged with DUI less safe and failing to maintain her lane.
Dalton woman arrested for DUI after leaving downtown lounge and nearly crashing head-on into officer
