Sarah Wilkinson

Name of Accused:
Wilkinson, Sarah

Date of Arrest:
08/17/2024

Charges For Arrest:
OPEN CONTAINER ALCOHOL IN VEHICLE
HEADLIGHTS (NOT PROPERLY EQUIPPED)
HIT AND RUN
DUI – LESS SAFE
OBSTRUCTION OFFICER – MISD
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 August 16, 2024 at 9:00 pm, I responded to Towne Lake Hills South Drive, just before Woodstock High School (2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive), to investigate a vehicle collision. The caller advised dispatch the collision, which occurred at 8:34 pm, involved a Blue Impala and a White Honda. At 9:11 pm, the caller stated the other vehicle left the scene and stated it was a Hyundai Tucson (GA: [REDACTED]). A short time later, I located the caller parked inside of Woodstock High School by the trailers on the left side of the school.
After parking, I began speaking with the caller [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] stated the following; she was stopped in traffic on Towne Lake Hills South Drive, between Lexington Ave and Woodstock High School, while operating a 2008 Blue Chevrolet Impala (GA: [REDACTED]). While stopped, she was struck from behind by a 2017 White Hyundai Tucson (GA: [REDACTED]). The driver of the Hyundai (later identified as Sarah M’Lynn Wilkinson) did stop but never spoke to her. [VICTIM #1] further stated Sarah got out of the Hyundai, ran to the sidewalk where children were present, and ran back to her car.
After getting back into the Hyundai, Sarah sat inside the vehicle for about five minutes before leaving the scene. When asked if she believes Sarah knew she hit her Chevrolet, [VICTIM #1] stated, “Oh yes.” [VICTIM #1] described Sarah as a small Hispanic female with black hair. [VICTIM #1] stated she exited her vehicle, to observe the damage, and Sarah never exited her vehicle to speak with her. A picture of the Hyundai’s license plate, which was taken by [VICTIM #1], was placed into the case folder. [VICTIM #1] stated she was uninjured and the front passenger, [REDACTED], was also uninjured. During this time traffic was extremely heavy as Woodstock High School was hosting a football game.
While observing the Chevrolet, I noticed white paint transfer and scratches on the rear bumper. Pictures, with measurements, were taken and placed into the case folder. While inside my patrol vehicle, I was notified by [VICTIM #1] that the Hyundai was driving towards us. I exited my patrol vehicle and stopped the Hyundai. The Hyundai did not have its headlights on and was being driven by Sarah with no other occupants inside. Sarah was verbally instructed to stop the Hyundai.
When the Hyundai stopped, Sarah was asked if she knew she hit the Chevrolet to which she stated she did. When asked why she drove off, Sarah stated [VICTIM #1] drove off first. When asked about exiting the Hyundai and walking to the group of children, Sarah stated she did not get out of her vehicle. Sarah provided me a Georgia drivers license and stated she was the only one in the vehicle when the collision occurred. When asked what happened, Sarah stated the following; she was behind [VICTIM #1] and struck the rear of the Chevrolet. She explained she got scared when [VICTIM #1] got out of her vehicle. When asked why she felt scared, Sarah stated because [VICTIM #1] got out of the vehicle. When asked if [VICTIM #1] ever said anything to her, she stated no. While talking with Sarah, her story did not make sense and she stated she was very nervous. After speaking with Sarah, I noticed minor damage on the front bumper of the Hyundai and verified the license plate provided by [VICTIM #1] matched the license plate of the Hyundai.
While at my patrol vehicle, entering the information for the collision, Sarah began driving away. I exited my patrol vehicle and began walking towards the Hyundai. While walking towards the Hyundai, I began yelling trying to get Sarah’s attention. Sarah continued driving and began traveling towards the exit of Woodstock High School. I got back into my patrol vehicle, activated my emergency equipment, and attempted to catch up to the Hyundai. I was able to catch up with the Hyundai right before it exited Woodstock High School. The Hyundai failed to yield and continued driving normally on Towne Lake Hill South Drive without its headlights or taillights turned on. Seeing as the Hyundai was not stopping, I positioned my patrol vehicle in front of it, causing it to stop.
When the Hyundai stopped, I exited my patrol vehicle and walked towards the Hyundai. I opened the driver door and asked Sarah what she was doing to which she replied, “What do you mean.” Sarah was asked to exit the vehicle. When Sarah exited the vehicle, I smelled the overwhelming odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle. I also observed numerous opened alcoholic beverages inside the cupholder and front passenger seat. When asked how much she had to drink tonight, Sarah stated, “Not much.” Sarah seemed to be very confused when I questioned her about leaving the location where I was conducting the accident investigation at.
While at the front of my patrol vehicle, I noticed Sarah’s eyes were watery and the odor of an alcoholic beverage could be smelled on her breath. When asked how many alcoholic beverages she had consumed, Sarah remained silent and began shaking her head from side to side indicating no. When asked why she drove off, while I was completing an investigation, Sarah remained silent. When asked if she would perform field sobriety evaluations, Sarah remained silent.
Based on the physical manifestations I observed, the driving I observed, and Sarah being the at-fault driver in a hit-and-run, I believed Sarah was under the influence of alcohol. Sarah was placed in handcuffs. The handcuffs were checked for proper fit and double-locked. Sarah was placed in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle and confirmed her age to be 28. Sarah was read the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for subjects over the age of 21 (DDS 354 (05/2019)). I requested the state-administered chemical test of her blood. Sarah refused by remaining silent.
When backup arrived, I provided Sgt. Hite [VICTIM #1]’s drivers license and a case card. I informed Sgt. Hite to provide [VICTIM #1] these items as I was currently dealing with Sarah and informed her an accident report would be completed. A vehicle impound was completed, with the Hyundai being impounded by Ingram’s Wrecker (58169). Numerous opened Michelob Ultra’s were located in the front cupholder and front passenger seat. Two of the three Michelob Ultra’s contained an alcoholic beverage. Pictures were taken and placed into the case folder.
Sarah was transported to the Bridgemill Precinct, where I applied for a search warrant of her blood using the EWI system. The search warrant was granted by Judge Zeigler with a docket number of E012476. After obtaining the search warrant, Sarah was transported to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center. When we arrived, Sarah was relinquished to jail deputies for the intake process. After the intake process was completed, Sgt. Campbell arrived on scene and explained the blood search warrant to Sarah. Sarah was provided an original copy of the search warrant. At 12:12 am, Sgt. Campbell obtained two vials of blood from Sarah’s left arm. The two vials of blood were secured in a GBI Blood Alcohol/Toxicology Kit and placed into evidence (ECR-24-01402).
Sarah was issued a citation for driving under the influence (CIT: S-021138). Warrants will later be secured for hit and run, obstruction (misdemeanor), no headlights, and open container. Sarah was also served with a DDS 1205 form. The rear seat of my patrol vehicle was searched, locating no illegal items.
An accident report was completed in G.E.A.R.S.
[End of Narrative]