Suspect Tells Deputy He's OK to Drive after Reportedly Striking Mailbox, Survey Marker, Then Tree

On Feb. 2, 2013, a deputy with the Barrow County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of Tanners Bridge Road and Tanners Bridge Circle in reference to an accident with injuries. 

Upon arrival, the deputy found an SUV against a tree, the driver, having exited the vehicle, was walking around. Approaching the man, the deputy reported smelling an odor of an alcoholic beverage and asked for a driver's license. The driver reportedly fumbled around for the license and the deputy noticed his eyes were watery and bloodshot, his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. 

"I asked him how much he had to drink and he stated that he only had a couple of drinks at a friends. He informed me that he was ok to drive," the deputy wrote in an incident report. "I looked at his car and informed him that I don’t think so and pointed towards the vehicle against the tree all smashed up." 

The man told the deputy he had consumed a few beers. An open, 24-ounce can of Bud Ice was found in the vehicle's floorboard. 

The driver, 24-year-old Jason Eric Holcombe of 1916 Roxey Lane in Winder, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving too fast for conditions. 

A female whose car was parked in the middle of the roadway near the accident was also arrested. According to the report, a deputy smelled a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the woman, who refused to give her name or provide a driver's license and said she was at the scene because the male driver was her husband. The woman refused to provide a breath sample and was placed under arrest. Both suspects were transported to the Barrow County Detention Center. A driver's license was located in the female's pocket. Brittany Diane Staggs, 28, 1290 Park St. of Loganville, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, improper stopping on roadway and speed less than minimum. 

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