According to a Dalton Police Department incident report, On December 18th, 2022, at 3:07 AM, Officer Murdoch was sitting outside of Tenoch at 319 North Hamilton Street due to several calls regarding alcohol-fueled disturbances that had been happening throughout the night. Officer Murdoch reported, “[I] was sitting just south of Tenoch facing towards the entrance of the business. [I] noticed a small black passenger vehicle begin to back out of a parking spot that was in front of the business. The vehicle reversed clear into the roadway and continued to back up until the vehicle jumped the curb hitting the street sign. The vehicle stopped for a second and then pulled back into the original spot.” Officer Murdoch then made contact with the vehicle and noticed that the back tires were now flat. The driver, Ruben Augusto Lopez-Ramos, 33, of Calhoun, exited the vehicle stumbling to the back. The officer observed his eyes were red and had a glassy look to them. Ruben’s zipper to his belt was down, and his belt was undone as well. Ruben immediately advised he didn’t speak any English. Officer Guerrero responded to assist with translation. Ruben gave officers a Guatemalan ID but did not have a valid US License to be driving. Ruben stated he only had a couple of shots before driving. During field sobriety testing, Ruben showed several signs of impairment. Ruben was placed under arrest for DUI and agreed to the state test. As with every arrest by Dalton Police in compliance with policy, they asked Ruben if he was an American citizen, and he stated he was not, but he did not wish for his consular to be notified. Ruben was transported to the Whitfield County Jail, where he showed a BAC of .112. Ruben was charged with driving while unlicensed and DUI alcohol 0.08 grams or more for drivers of 21.
Unlicensed drunk driver arrested after backing into street sign while leaving Dalton bar
