Unlicensed drunk driver arrested after leaving scene of two-vehicle crash in Dalton

According to a Dalton Police Department incident report, On December 4th, 2022, at 1:16 PM, Officer Thornton was flagged down at 785 Shugart Road by a man in a Nissan Truck who advised that he was just involved in a hit-and-run crash near the intersection of West Waugh Street and Shugart Road. The victim advised the other driver was a Hispanic male and was able to provide a tag that returned to a red 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe registered to Julio Campos Ramirez. Officer Dykes and Officer Thornton relocated to Hulio’s address to speak to him in person. Officers located the vehicle matching the description, and the tag number was given. Officer Thornton reported, “The front bumper of the vehicle was also slightly dented. At first, Julio stated that he had not driven the car; he advised that his son Benjamin Hernandez had driven it earlier and had just got home a few minutes before we arrived. [I] asked Benjamin if he was involved in an accident a little while ago. Benjamin stated that he had driven the car but was not able to give me the name of the street that he was on when the accident occurred. He seemed hesitant as to how to respond to my questions and kept looking at his father. Benjamin was also wearing pajama pants and had no shoes on.” Officers could smell the strong odor of alcohol on Julio’s breath. Officer Herrera responded to assist with translating. Julio eventually admitted that he was the one driving the vehicle earlier during the crash and fled the scene. Julio stated he only had two beers before driving. During field sobriety testing, Julio showed several signs of impairment and showed positive on a PBT. As with every arrest by Dalton Police in compliance with policy, they asked Julio if he was an American citizen, and he stated he was a citizen of Mexico, but he did not wish for his consular to be notified. Julio was also found to be driving while unlicensed. Julio was transported to the Whitfield County Jail, where he showed a BAC of .188. He was charged with DUI/alcohol .08 gm or more, leaving the scene of an accident, following too closely, and driving while unlicensed.