Jose Serrano

Name of Accused:
Serrano, Jose Luis

Date of Arrest:
08/03/2024

Charges For Arrest:
Dui- Driving Under Influence Of Alcohol
Hit & Run; Driver To Stop/ Return To Accident Scene
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 8/3/2024 I was dispatched to 1300 E Morris St: Jax Liquor Store in regards to a private property hit and run.
When I arrived on scene I met with the witness [WITNESS #1]. She stated that she was parked in the parking lot when she noticed a black Toyota Tacoma with the license plate [REDACTED] enter the parking lot and strike a white Nissan Rogue for sale in the parking lot. [WITNESS #1] was able to obtain a photo of the license plate and of the truck. She stated that the truck backed up and then headed east on E Morris St. [WITNESS #1] then obtained a phone number from the for sale sign on the white Nissan and called the seller.
I then spoke with the seller, [VICTIM #1]. I was able to gather all of her information and the vehicle information. She did not have any information to share in relation to the accident.
I then attempted to obtain camera footage but was unable to at this time.
I then pulled the return from GCIC and found the owner of the truck, Jose Serreno, and his address. Myself and Officer Cruz then relocated to [400 BLOCK] 11th Ave to meet with Jose.
When we arrived we saw the same black Toyota Tacoma in the driveway with matching license plates, and some noticeable damage to the front of the vehicle. We then made contact with Jose’s wife. Due to the language barrier Officer Cruz then proceeded to ask who was driving the truck at 1900 on 8/3/2024. She stated that her husband had been driving and that he was asleep in the house. We asked her to wake him up so we could speak with him. As Jose walked out of the bedroom into the living room he stumbled and fell. Jose needed help up and also needed help to the front door. Jose was swaying forward and backward and smelt of alcoholic beverage. Officer Cruz asked him if he was driving and he stated that he was but did not remember hitting a car. Officer Cruz then asked him to step outside, Jose then stepped down and fell once again. We assisted Jose into a chair. Jose later agreed to perform field sobriety testing, conducted by Officer Cruz. See his supplement report for further details.
Officer Cruz then had Jose blow into the mobile alcosensor test, Jose blew a .175. Based on the battery of tests, witness, and statements made by Jose we then placed him under arrest for the hit and run and DUI.
We placed Jose in handcuffs and searched him incident to arrest in front of Officer Cruz’s vehicle. Nothing was found at this time. We then placed Jose in the back of Officer Cruz patrol car and he was read implied consent, where he agreed to the breath test. Officer Cruz then transported Jose to the Whitfield County Jail.
When we arrived to the jail we secured our service weapons in the sally port lock box and brought Jose into the jail. We met with Deputy Spence who conducted the breath test at this time, and Jose provided a breath sample of .188 on the state administered test.
I later charged Jose with
OCGA 40-6-391 DUI on citation #622792
OCGA 40-6-270 Leaving the scene of an accident citation #622793
[End of Narrative]