Jonathan Francis

Name of Accused:
FRANCIS, JONATHAN ALBERTO

Date of Arrest:
07/28/2024


Charges For Arrest:
DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL
HIT AND RUN; DUTY OF DRIVER TO STOP AT OR RETURN TO SCENE OF ACCIDENT
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 the date of 07/28/2024
, I, Sgt. Cheatwood 66, was patrolling when officers were made aware of a Hit and Run crash that had just occurred on Brown Street. I along with other officers began driving towards that location when we were advised that the vehicle was a white in color sedan and had struck construction equipment and fled the scene.
Ofc. Boswell arrived at the accident location before handing it over to Traffic Ofc. Fowler. Ofc. Boswell stated that the vehicle had struck the equipment very hard and was leaking fluids. Ofc. Boswell noted that the vehicle appeared to be traveling in the direction of West White. I knew that West White ran into Stewart Street and nearby busy street. The nearby bars were very busy around this time as were several other large events in the area. This led me to believe the driver could’ve been impaired, so I began to head the car off to get it off the roadway as soon as possible.
I drove on Stewart Street towards West white as I could see the vehicle making a right turn from West white onto Stewart Street in the direction I was coming. I observed a passenger side headlight out and knew the vehicle approaching me could’ve been the suspect vehicle. As the vehicle approached me, I could see from a distance it was a white in color sedan as previously described. I immediately called it out and the direction it was traveling. I then activated my blue lights and angled my vehicle in the direction of that vehicle in order for it to stop. The vehicle never slowed down and continued on its directed path.
As the vehicle passed me, I was able to see two Hispanic males inside the vehicle. I was able to tell that the front end had major damage on the passenger side. I called this out to officers as the vehicle continued driving despite my blue lights activated. I performed a quick three point turn around in the roadway and gave the direction of travel to other officers in the event the driver began to flee at high speeds. I turned around and got directly behind the vehicle as it began to eventually come to a stop. I then watched as the driver put the vehicle in reverse as I stepped out of my vehicle and began giving commands. As I approached the vehicle, still nearly a car length away, I could detect the odor of alcohol emitting from the vehicle amongst the odor or vehicle fluids. The odor was strong and apparent.
I then began to give direction for another officer to go nose to nose with the vehicle in an attempt to prevent the vehicle from fleeing. I began to yell commands to the driver that included placing the vehicle in park as I believed he was about to drive backwards into my vehicle.
I then approached the driver door as I could see the hands of the male driver, later identified as Jonathan Alberto Martinez Francis. Francis appeared to keep looking straight with a blank stare and appeared “zoned out”. Francis was Hispanic but did speak broken English. The male passenger appeared to speak better English, but he wasn’t following commands given by officers either.
Eventually I was able to get the driver door unlocked and assisted Francis out of the vehicle. As I helped Francis stand up outside the vehicle, I was afraid his knees were about to buckle as he was light on his feet. I moved Francis to a safer location near the front of my patrol vehicle. I then turned off my front blue lights in order to attempt Field Sobriety Exercises. While Francis was standing there, I would notice him swaying. At times front to back and others, side to side. While standing directly in front of Francis, the strong odor of alcohol was emitting profusely from his breath. I then began to question Francis on the reasons I pulled him over. Francis continued to state that “he not ok, but his friend (passenger) was ok”. I asked Francis if he had to been drinking to which he agreed too. I then asked Francis if he was involved in a recent wreck as the fluid continued to leak from his Radiator as we stood and talked. Francis would give me a shrug and speak as if he didn’t understand what I was saying.
I then began asking Francis if he would allow me to perform Field Sobriety exercises on him to which he agreed. However, it was very apparent that Francis could or would not follow instructions and nearly fell while standing listening to instruction on the HGN potation of the exercise.
I then attempted to speak with Francis further to which he began to sway forward again, due to his intoxication level. I then placed him under arrest placing him in handcuffs. I read Francis his Georgia Implied Consent Notice to which he gave me a verbal “no” when I asked for blood.
Neither party requested any medical service in reference to their injuries. The male passenger however did state that it scared him as he grabbed his left shoulder as if it was in pain.
Traffic Ofc. Fowler completed the accident report for this incident. (see accident case 2403474).
[End of Narrative]