A routine traffic stop in Summerville resulted in the arrest of Rhonda Johnson on charges of driving under the influence of drugs and possession of methamphetamine on March 9th. Summerville Police officers initially spotted a red 1988 Ford Ranger traveling southbound on Highway 114 with a suspended registration. After initiating a traffic stop on Hartline Street, officers approached the vehicle and immediately noticed that Johnson, the driver, exhibited physical signs of impairment including bloodshot eyes and confused, mumbled speech. The passenger, identified as Joseph Bethea, was confirmed to be the owner of the vehicle. During the stop, Johnson initially claimed her driver's license had been stolen before later admitting to possessing methamphetamine when asked to empty her pockets. A subsequent search revealed modified straws containing a crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine in her purse. Field sobriety tests confirmed impairment, with Johnson displaying all six clues on the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test and failing both the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand tests. Johnson admitted to taking Valium the previous day. She consented to a blood draw, which was administered by EMT Codie Tate at the scene before she was transported to Chattooga County jail.

Location and Infrastructure

Highway 114 in Summerville is a key thoroughfare in Chattooga County, Georgia, connecting several smaller communities to the city center. The specific area where the vehicle was initially observed is known for moderate to heavy traffic flow, particularly during commuting hours. The traffic stop occurred after the vehicle turned onto Hartline Street, a smaller residential connector road with lower speed limits and increased pedestrian presence. This intersection has standard traffic signage and is located approximately one mile from downtown Summerville. The area is equipped with standard street lighting and has clearly marked lane divisions. Despite being well-maintained, this stretch of Highway 114 has seen several traffic incidents in recent years, primarily related to speeding and failure to yield at intersections, making it a focus area for local law enforcement traffic monitoring.

Legal Rights and Considerations

In Georgia, driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) is a serious offense governed by O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391, carrying potential penalties including fines up to $1,000, license suspension, mandatory substance abuse assessment, and jail time for first offenders. Possession of methamphetamine is prosecuted under Georgia's controlled substance laws (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30), which classify it as a felony with significantly harsher penalties. Individuals arrested for DUID have the right to refuse field sobriety tests, though this may trigger automatic license suspension under Georgia's implied consent laws. The statute of limitations for filing civil claims related to incidents like this is generally two years in Georgia. Those affected by impaired drivers may be entitled to compensatory damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, as well as potential punitive damages in cases involving drugs or alcohol. Insurance considerations typically involve the driver's liability coverage, though coverage may be denied for criminal actions.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Chattooga County Sheriff's Office: (706) 857-3411
• Summerville Police Department: (706) 859-0912
• Redmond Regional Medical Center: (706) 291-0291

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: (404) 656-6996
• Chattooga County Safe Driving Initiative: (706) 857-0700
• Georgia Department of Driver Services: (678) 413-8400

Support Services:

• Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program: (800) 547-0060
• Chattooga County Victim-Witness Assistance Program: (706) 857-0700
• Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities: (404) 657-2252

Legal Information:

• Georgia Code: Title 40 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic): www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/gacode
• Georgia Department of Public Safety Regulations: dps.georgia.gov
• Georgia Drug Laws and Penalties: gbi.georgia.gov/drug-enforcement