According to a Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office incident report, On January 5th, 2023, at 8:34 PM, Deputy Sharpe was traveling westbound on East Walnut Ave. According to the report, Deputy Sharpe observed a gold 1997 Ford Ranger traveling in the left westbound lane on East Walnut Ave right before Old Grade Rd, going about 11 mph, well below the speed limit. Deputy Sharpe thought the vehicle was going to come to a stop in the left-hand lane. Deputy Sharpe conducted traffic at the Walnut gas station on East Walnut Ave. Deputy Sharpe made with the driver, identified as George Gregory Hayes, 64, of Fort Oglethorpe. According to the report, “Deputy Sharpe could immediately see a natural light beer can in an insulated Koozie in the cup holder. Mr. Hayes was omitting an alcoholic beverage as he spoke. As Mr. Hayes got out of his vehicle, he had a hard time balancing. Mr. Hayes was very unsteady on his feet. Deputy Sharpe asked Mr. Hayes how much he had to drink. Mr. Hayes stated he only had a couple. Mr. Hayes then stated that what people tell you is that they only had a couple, but I have only had a couple. When Deputy Sharpe asked Mr. Hayes how much a couple is to him, he just stated a couple. Deputy Sharpe asked if 3 or 4 was a couple to him, and he stated yes.” During the field sobriety test, Hayes showed several signs of impairment and showed positive on a PBT. Hayes was placed under arrest for DUI and agreed to the state test. Hayes was transported to the Whitfield County Jail, where he showed a BrAC .158. Hayes was charged with DUI, driving under the influence of alcohol, and open container violation.
Fort Oglethorpe man arrested for DUI after driving extremely slow on Walnut Ave in Whitfield County
