Name of Accused:
Creel, Morgan Alyson
Date of Arrest:
10/28/2024
Charges For Arrest:
DUI DRUGS-LESS SAFE
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 10/28/2024
at approximately 1153 hours, I, D/S N. Wheat, responded to a traffic stop at Highway 154 and North Farms Dr.
D/S G. Binion stopped a 2021 white Chevrolet Suburban bearing GA tag of [REDACTED] for failure to maintain lane. Upon his approach he asked for a second unit to be en route to his location and D/S C. Thompson started his way. Once D/S Thompson arrived on scene, he asked for me to be en route to his location for a possible impaired driver.
I arrived on scene and D/S Thompson began to explain to me the reason for the stop and then stated that the driver, Morgan Creel, had slurred speech and she was just standing there stumbling. D/S Thompson also stated that Morgan told him that she had taken an Ativan at approximately 10:30 AM this date.
I began speaking with Morgan and advised her of who I am and why I come out. I asked her what was going on today and she stated that she just picked up her medication and she is headed . I asked her what she had taken today and she stated that she had vitamins and Ativan. I asked if Ativan made her feel impaired and she stated no. I asked if it affects her at all when she takes it and she said it did not.
While speaking with her, I observed that she had slurred speech, droopy eyelids, blood shot and watery eyes and she cleared her throat while speaking. I asked if I could run her through some tests to make sure that she was safe to drive and she agreed.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus
I asked Morgan to step away from the vehicle and she was unsteady while walking. Morgan took off her glasses and then attempted to put them on the back of her vehicle but missed it and they fell to the ground. I asked if she had any problems with her eyes and she said she did and I asked what it was. Morgan stated s. I asked if they were hard or soft and she said soft.
I held my finger up and asked Morgan if she could see the tip of my finger and Morgan reached up with her right hand and touched my finger with hers. I advised her that she did not have to touch it and confirmed that she could see it. I explained the test and confirmed that she understood. I then began the evaluation.
During the evaluation, I observed the lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes for two clues. I observed distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes for two more clues. I also observed the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes for two clues. I observed a total of 6 out of 6 possible clues for HGN. I also observed vertical nystagmus. During this evaluation, Morgan continued to move her head and I had to reset on several passes.
Walk and Turn
I had Morgan move to a more level spot on the road and asked if she would be able to walk heel to toe and demonstrated it. Morgan was very unsteady and swaying after I moved her spot. Morgan advised that she should be able to complete the evaluation. I advised her of the starting position and asked her to stand heel to toe with her right foot in front of her left. Morgan attempted several times and continuously raised her arms for balance and kept losing her balance. I explained the instructions for walk and turn and confirmed that she understood. I advised her she could begin when she was ready.
During the evaluation, I observed Morgan unable to maintain balance during instructional phase, stop while walking, miss heel to toe, step off line, raise arms for balance, and do the incorrect number of steps.
Morgan was very unbalanced and almost fell. I decided at that point that I should stop the evaluation for her safety.
One Leg Stand
I asked if she thinks she would be able to perform the one leg stand evaluation and she stated that she would try. I explained the instructions for the one leg stand and confirmed that she understood.
During this evaluation, I observed Morgan put her foot down, sway, and raise her arms for balance. Morgan became confused during the evaluation and since Morgan was so unbalanced, I decided to stop the evaluation for safety reasons.
Lack of Convergence
I explained the instructions for Lack of Convergence and confirmed she understood. I observed the lack of convergence in both eyes.
Modified Rhomberg Balance
I then explained the instructions for Modified Rhomberg balance and confirmed that she understood. I told her that she could begin when she was ready. During the Modified Rhomberg Balance, I observed Morgan sway and bring her head down multiple times. Morgan also opened her eyes on several occasions. She brought her head down until it was facing the ground toward the end and continued to sway. I asked how she counted to 30 seconds and she stated that she counted but couldn’t explain how she counted in her head. I gave her 3 different examples and she stated it was the first one we did.
Finger to Nose
I explained the instructions for finger to nose and confirmed that she understood. I then told her to tilt her head back and to close her eyes and gave her the first instruction. She stopped the evaluation and stated that she was confused. I explained the evaluation to her once again and asked if she understood it and she confirmed that she did. I then gave her the first instruction again and she did not tilt her head back or close her eyes. I told her again that she needed to tilt her head back and close her eyes and explained how to do it once again. We then attempted the evaluation once again.
I gave her the first instruction to bring her left finger to her nose and she touched the bottom of her nose with the top of her left index finger. She held her finger to her nose for approximately 7-8 seconds before I reminded her to bring it back down. Morgan also brought her head back to her normal position and opened her eyes. I instructed her to bring the right finger and she forgot to tilt her head back and close her eyes. I instructed her to do so and I decided to end the evaluation because Morgan was confused and did not comprehend the instructions.
Arrest
I told Morgan that she was being placed under arrest for driving under the influence and placed her wrists in handcuffs, checked them for fit, and double locked them. I requested for 911 to start the next list wrecker, Bucks Towing.
Implied Consent For Suspects Age 21 or Over
I confirmed that Morgan was over the age of 21 and then read her implied consent and asked for the state administered chemical test of her blood. Morgan agreed to the test. I checked her pockets and then walked her to the rear driver passenger seat and placed her inside my car.
I conducted a vehicle inventory and then left the vehicle with D/S Thompson and transported Morgan to the Coweta County Jail and turned her over to the jail staff.
While at the jail we performed the state administered chemical test of her blood and sealed up two vials of blood in the GBI Blood kit.
I sent the GBI blood kit to the GBI for chemical analysis. I wrote Morgan a citation for DUI – Drugs Less Safe.
[End of Narrative]