Michael Kidder

Name of Accused:
Kidder, Michael Kevin

Date of Arrest:
07/09/2024


Charges For Arrest:
Drivers with ability impaired by alcohol, drugs, or toxic vapor
Hit and Run
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On July 9, 2024
at approximately 1734 hours, I, Ofc. Wojtal, was parked at 814 Russell Pkwy. when I was flagged down by two black males running through the parking lot after a white in color Toyota Tundra. The male, later identified as [VICTIM ], yelled that the vehicle had just struck his and was taking off. I then went to catch up to the vehicle as it was pulling out of the parking lot onto Dental Dr. and activated my emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle, FL tag [REDACTED], then pulled onto Dental Dr. and into the parking lot at 900 Russell Pkwy., Five Star Ford.
Upon approaching the vehicle, I then observed damage to the driver side tail light, and then made with the driver, later identified as Michael Kidder. As Mr. Kidder opened the window to speak to me, I smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person as he spoke to me. Mr. Kidder stated he did not know why I was stopping him, and had slurred speech as he spoke, stating he did not know he had struck a vehicle, despite people chasing him down and yelling at him. I then asked Mr. Kidder if he had consumed any alcoholic beverages, and he advised he had “one drink” that was a vodka mixed drink. I then asked him if he would be willing to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety testing, to which he agreed.
As Mr. Kidder stepped out of the vehicle, he was uneasy on his feet, using the vehicle to assist his balance as he walked to the front of my patrol vehicle, leaning against the rear of his vehicle. Before beginning the testing I confirmed Mr. Kidder did not have any medical or physical conditions that would prevent him from completing the test, and he advised he did not. Mr. Kidder was wearing glasses, however advised he could see without them just fine. The first test given was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. While conducting the test Mr. Kidder showed a lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, a distinct and sustained nystagmus in both eyes, and onset of Nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes.
The second test performed was the 9 step walk and turn test. Prior to beginning testing I confirmed he did not have any medical or physical conditions and confirmed he understood the instructions multiple times. On the first set of steps, Mr. Kidder was unable to maintain his balance during the instructional phase, using his arms for balance and swaying while he attempted to stand still. While performing the test, Mr. Kidder walked in a normal fashion instead of in a heel to toe manner and stepped off the line on almost every step. He then turned improperly and walked in the same way back. Mr. Kidder did not count out loud and used his arms for balance. Mr. Kidder was unable to walk in a heel to toe manner on the second set and stepped off the line as well.
The third test given was the one leg stand test, prior to beginning the test I again confirmed he did not have any medical or physical conditions and he confirmed he did not. All instructions were given and I confirmed he understood prior to the testing. While conducting the test Mr. Kidder swayed, used his arms for balance and put his foot down multiple times stopping at a 6 one thousand count.
Mr. Kidder was then asked if he would provide a preliminary roadside breath sample and he agreed. The test showed a positive result for the presence of alcohol. Mr. Kidder was then placed into custody for hit and run and DUI. He was then placed into my patrol vehicle and was read GA implied consent for suspects age 21 or over. I requested a state breath sample and advised he would provide a sample.
Prior to beginning testing on Mr. Kidder, a witness, [WITNESS ], pulled up to the scene and stated he observed Mr. Kidder back into a vehicle, GA tag [REDACTED], and then leave the scene without stopping.
I then transported Mr. Kidder to police headquarters where Mr. Kidder provided a breath sample for the state test on the Intoxilyzer 9000. The results showed a BrAC of 0.237 g/210L, over the state limit of 0.08g/210L. Mr. Kidder was then issued state citations for DUI per se and hit and run. He was also issued a GA DDS 1205 for license suspension due to being over a 0.08 limit prior to being turned over to booking staff for processing. Mr. Kidder was unable to get anyone in the area to pick up his vehicle, so it was towed from the scene by the on call wrecker, Bowtie towing.
[End of Narrative]