According to a Georgia State Patrol incident report, On Saturday, May 27th, 2023, at 5:26 PM, Sgt. Buckner was dispatched to a single-vehicle crash on Rocky Lane in Walker County. Trooper Buckner arrived on the scene and found a 1994 Mazda pickup truck off the side of the mountain and on it’s top against a tree. It was occupied by the driver, James William Allred, 57, of LaFayette, and he was being assisted out of the truck by Walker County Fire and Rescue. The 17-year-old female passenger was already out of the truck and was being treated for her injuries by CHI Memorial EMS. According to the report, “The 17-year-old appeared to be intoxicated and had an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her breath. She advised that she was the passenger in the truck when it crashed and that “Bill” (Mr. Allred) was driving.” Allred asked if he could be honest and advised that he messed up. He advised that he was drinking Bourbon at the top of the mountain prior to driving. He advised that he lost control of his truck while coming down the mountain but didn’t know how. He advised that he was the driver. Sgt. Buckner reported, “While speaking with him, [I] could smell the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath as he spoke. [I] asked him if he was injured, and he advised that he had a knot on his head and that he was hurting from his upper back into his head.” Allred showed a BAC of .188 on a PBT. Allred agreed to the state testing of his blood. Sgt. Buckner ran the registration on the truck through GCIC, and it showed that it did not have insurance. Allred was transported to Erlanger Hospital by CHI Memorial EMS and was booked into the Walker County Jail the next day, charged with DUI, too fast for conditions, failing to maintain lane, and no insurance.
LaFayette man arrested for DUI after crashing truck off Pigeon Mountain in Walker County
