Morrow Driver Almost Killed After Losing Control On I-75

The Clayton News-Daily reports that a driver in Morrow was almost killed after losing control of his vehicle on I-75. 

The incident occurred early on Friday morning. 33-year-old Rickie Bernard Martin was behind the wheel of a Chevy Cruze when it ran off the interstate I-75 just south of GA Highway 54. 

The car then flew into the woods, hit several trees, and then flipped over. A witness told an officer who responded to the scene that they did not see any reason for Martin to lose control of his vehicle. 

The officer saw Martin moving around inside the vehicle and advised him to remain still until the fire department arrived. Martin disregarded the officer and stumbled from the vehicle. The vehicle contained several opened and closed alcoholic beverage containers. 

The officer also noticed that there was a significant odor of alcohol coming from Martin and his eyes were bloodshot and watery. Martin attempted several times to get back into the vehicle. 

Officers had to handcuff Martin in a double-locked manner due to his level of intoxication. He told officers he hadn’t been drinking “like that” and had just come from the club. 

Morrow Fire-EMS examined Martin, but he refused treatment. He was driven to police headquarters for a breathalyzer test and fell asleep in the chair. When they were able to get a BAC, it registered at 0.183% and 0.184% five minutes apart. 

Martin was ticketed and released to his sister due to the “possible injuries sustained from the accident.” 

49 states now have a blood-alcohol level cutoff for intoxication set at 0.08%, with Utah having set it at 0.05%. For those with a commercial driver’s license, the level is lowered to 0.04%. Beginning at 0.05%, behavior becomes exaggerated. Loss of control of smaller muscles may begin, such as the muscles that control the eyes. At 0.08%, there is a noticeable loss in coordination, reaction times. Reasoning, judgment, self-control, concentration, and memory become impaired.

As the blood-alcohol concentration rises, impairment becomes markedly worse. By 0.20%, stupor, confusion, disorientation, and feeling dazed is common. 

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