On October 28th, 2022, I (Trooper A. Mathews) was sitting stationary on Mockingbird Road near Elmo Road observing traffic in reference to a traffic complaint of a black sport bike style motorcycle speeding and operating reckless in the area on a day-to-day basis. At approximately 1859 hours, I observed a motorcycle with a loud modified exhaust matching the description turning onto Mockingbird Road from Bannister Road. I observed the motorcycle traveling in close proximity to another vehicle in front of it before accelerating and passing the other vehicle in a no passing zone. Upon observing these violations, I activated my blue lights and siren as the motorcycle approached my location in excess of the posted 30 MPH speed limit. The motorcycle immediately accelerated, initiating a pursuit. I advised Troop B Communications Center (TBCC) that I was in an active vehicle pursuit. I observed the fleeing motorcycle did not have a tag visible and did not have operational taillights or tag lights. The pursuit continued south on Mockingbird Road as the motorcycle operated with reckless disregard for life and property as it traveled at excessive speeds on the wrong side of the road and passing other vehicles in no passing zones. The pursuit continued north onto Elmo Road from Mockingbird Road. As the pursuit crossed onto Westray Road past Mt Tabor Road, I attempted a channelization maneuver. The maneuver was successful and forced the motorcycle to slow down almost a stop. I then observed the motorcycle conduct an improper U-turn onto the left shoulder of the roadway where the violator almost lost control. The motorcycle then accelerated again back south on Westray Road continuing the pursuit. I conducted a U-turn and caught back up to the fleeing motorcycle and as I approached it, the driver put his left hand up in the air frantically and signaled his intention to stop. Not knowing if his intentions were sincere, I conducted a second channelization maneuver as we turned onto Mt Tabor Road, that was again successful. The maneuver forced the motorcycle onto the right-hand shoulder of the roadway where the motorcycle came to a stop. I exited my patrol vehicle and observed the driver’s hands on the handlebars of the motorcycle. I drew my department issued Taser 7 in the event that the driver decided to put up physical resistance, conceal his hands, or attempt to flee on foot. I gave loud verbal commands for the driver to get off of the motorcycle. The driver complied with verbal commands and proned out face down on the ground where I placed the driver in handcuffs. I then identified the driver as Brandon Ballew and inquired if he needed any medical treatment, in which he denied. I observed Ballew to be sweating profusely as his clothes were soaked in sweat. I thought this to be odd due to the rather moderate temperature at that time. I further observed Ballew to have dilated pupils, bruxism, exaggerated reflexes, body tremors, and to be talkative. Based on his poor decision-making abilities, his less safe poor performance driving, and the manifestations I observed that I know to be consistent with drug impairment, I informed him Ballew that he was also under arrest for Driving under the influence of drugs. I then read Ballew his Georgia Implied Consent Notice for suspects age 21 or over and requested a blood test. He verbally refused by stating “no.” Upon a GCIC/NCIC query of Ballew’s information it revealed his Georgia driver’s license was suspended for multiple violations and he had active warrants for his arrest from several jurisdictions for probation violations. During our encounter, Ballew made it very clear that he has problems with authority when it comes to the government and how he has never reported to probation and never will in the future if he is granted probation again. The motorcycle was impounded by Head’s Towing. I then transported Ballew to the Forsyth County Jail where he was turned over to jail staff.

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