According to a Dalton Police Department incident report, On April 15th, 2023, 8:44 AM, Officer Warren was patrolling the area of 5th Avenue when he observed a tan GMC Sierra make a wide turn, crossing over the center lines of 5th Avenue as well as the center lines on Lake Street. Officer Warren observed the GMC continue to travel west on Lake Street while failing to maintain its lane. Officer Warren then conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Fernando Perez-Vega, 55, of Dalton. Officer Warren reported, “As [I] stood outside of Fernando’s window, [I] detected the strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from inside of the vehicle. [I] informed Fernando as to why [I] had stopped him and requested that he provide me with his license. Fernando stated that he did not have his license. [I] asked Fernando if he meant that he did not possess a license or if he meant that he simply did not have his license on his person. Fernando simply stated “No”. [I] noticed that Fernando’s voice was slurred and that he would stutter when he spoke. [I] also observed that Fernando’s pants were unbuttoned and that he appeared to have urinated all over himself.” Fernando’s license returned showing that his license had been revoked since 2001, alongside numerous other suspensions for DUI. Officer Warren asked Fernando how much he had had to drink. He stated that he had drank the previous night but would not specify how much he had drank. During field sobriety testing, Fernando showed several signs of impairment and a BAC of .209 PBT. Fernando was placed under arrest and transported to the Whitfield County Jail, where he showed a BAC of .213 on the state test. Fernando was charged with DUI alcohol, driving on revoked license, open container, failure to maintain lane, and improper turn.
Unlicensed man arrested for DUI after failing to maintain lane in Dalton
