Crime & Safety

Gwinnett Man Faces Habitual Violator, DUI Charges After Wreck

Gwinnett Police say the Sugar Hill man's car was upside down in a ditch recently in Buford. His license was reportedly revoked in 2008.

A Gwinnett man has been charged with DUI and being a habitual violator after a traffic accident that resulted in his vehicle winding upside down in a ditch in Buford.

According to police records, Elmer Guy Weakland of a Claybourne Lane address in Sugar Hill was the driver of a vehicle in the accident about 3 a.m. on Sept. 27 at Whitehead Road and Brighton Rose Lane in Buford.

After a witness called 911, the Gwinnett officer saw the suspect standing near his car in the ditch. When the officer came closer to the suspect, the officer noted "blood on his face and legs" and could smell "the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage" coming from the driver's breath.

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Weakland then began complaining about his injuries and said "his face felt like it was on fire."

A license check revealed that Weakland's license was revoked in 2008 for being a habitual violator. He was served in July 2012, records show.

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Weakland was hospitalized after the accident and booked into the Gwinnett Detention Center on Tuesday (Oct. 2). He is being held without bond on the habitual violator charge, and faces $1,300 bond on four other charges, including hit and run and improper lane change.

During the arrest, the officer noticed an open container of alcohol in Weakland's vehicle. Also, police say the suspect's car hit a mailbox before hitting rocks in the ditch and flipping.

This information was furnished by Gwinnett Police and the Gwinnett Sheriff's Office. It does not indicate a conviction. Questions may be directed to steve.burns@patch.com.


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