Pedro Ruiz-Correa

Name of Accused:
Ruiz-Correa, Pedro

Date of Arrest:
10/19/2024


Charges For Arrest:
DRIVING WITHOUT A VALID LICENSE (MISDEMEANOR)
FAILURE TO SIGNAL WHEN CHANGING LANES
DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL
ENDANGERING A CHILD BY DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS – MISDEMEANOR
ENDANGERING A CHILD BY DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS – MISDEMEANOR
ENDANGERING A CHILD BY DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS – MISDEMEANOR
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 10/19/2024
, at approximately 2215, I, Dep. Glenn initiated a traffic stop on Hwy 441 at New High Shoals Rd on a vehicle bearing the license plate [REDACTED]. Prior to the stop, the vehicle was driving in front of me on Hwy 441 southbound. I watched as it was driven over the fog line to the right of its lane 2 times. The driver straightened up its lane position, then changed lanes to overtake a vehicle in the left lane of travel. The driver failed to signal before changing lanes. I made my initial approach to the vehicle on the driver’s side, then told the driver the reason for the stop. While speaking to the driver, I smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. He also had watery, bloodshot eyes.
I asked the driver for his driver’s license and proof of insurance. The driver told me that he didn’t have a license, but identified himself as Pedro Ruiz Correa. I noticed that Mr. Ruiz Correa had children inside his vehicle. Mr. Ruiz Correa was asked to step out of his vehicle. I asked him how much had to drink, and he told me 2 Corona beers about 3 hours prior to driving. He told me that he had just left a family cookout. I asked him if he would perform some evaluations to make sure he was safe to drive. He agreed.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus
I asked Mr. Ruiz Correa if he had any medical conditions. He said no. I asked if he was taking any medication. He said no. I examined his eyes, and saw that he had equal pupil sizes, equal tracking, and did not have resting nystagmus. He was not wearing lenses. I gave Mr. Ruiz Correa instructions for the evaluation, then asked if he understood them. He said yes. He did not follow my instructions. He began moving his head in addition to moving his eyes, so the evaluation was stopped. After the instructions were given a second time, he continued moving his head, but was able to complete the evaluation.
In total, I observed 4 out of 6 possible clues:
Lack of smooth pursuit in the left eye
Lack of smooth pursuit in the right eye
Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in the left eye
Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in the right eye
Mr. Ruiz Correa did not have vertical gaze nystagmus.
Walk and Turn
I gave instructions to get Mr. Ruiz Correa into the proper instructional stance. Mr. Ruiz Correa began walking forward. I corrected Mr. Ruiz Correa, and got him into the proper stance. While giving instructions, I showed him how the evaluation should be performed. He stumbled out of his stance, and remained out of it for the remainder of the instructions. After giving instructions, I asked him if he understood my instructions. He said yes. When he began the evaluation, he walked forward in the manner instructed. When he reached the turn, he turned then stopped briefly to ask a question. He resumed walking, but left space between his feet on his 8th step.
In total, I observed 3 out of 8 possible clues:
Cannot balance during instructions
Starts too soon
Misses heel-to-toe
One Leg Stand
I got Mr. Ruiz Correa into the proper instructional stance, then began giving instructions. While giving instructions, I showed him how the evaluation should be performed. After instructions, I asked him if he understood them. He said yes. While Mr. Ruiz Correa performed the evaluation, he did not look at his feet as instructed, and swayed once when he was several seconds in on the counting and balancing portion.
In total, I observed 1 out of 4 possible clues:
Sways
I placed Mr. Ruiz Correa under arrest, then read him the notice of implied consent for persons over the age of 21. He consented to the testing of his breath. I waited until his children and vehicle were picked up, then took him to the jail. He submitted to the state administered chemical test of his breath. His results were .074 and .075. He was charged with DUI-alcohol (less safe), 3 counts of DUI-child endangerment, driving without a valid license, and a turn signal violation. All relevant forms are attached to this report.
[End of Narrative]