Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader released a statement to local media explaining the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Billy Joe Dooley following a crash Friday evening that resulted in DUI charges.

According to Schrader, a deputy was dispatched around 4:15 p.m. to Back Penn Road and Highway 27 for an accident in which one vehicle struck another at a stop sign, causing minor damage. The vehicles were moved to the old “Traci’s Tanning” lot, where Deputy Mollohan met with the drivers, gathered information, and issued a citation to Dooley for no proof of insurance after he could not provide documentation. Schrader said a system check indicated the insurance was valid, and during the interaction the deputy did not detect signs of impairment.

Schrader said that at approximately 5:00 p.m., just after the deputy completed the report and released both drivers, the deputy—facing another direction—heard a loud crash and saw the same driver he had just cited involved in another crash at the same location. The deputy activated emergency lights and responded to check on those involved.

Schrader said he arrived within minutes and was told about the earlier crash. The deputy requested Georgia State Patrol assistance to investigate the second crash, and the sheriff said they waited for the trooper to arrive. When the trooper reached the scene, Schrader and the deputy briefed him on both incidents.

The responding trooper was a certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and conducted a series of tests and evaluations. Schrader said the trooper later advised him he believed Dooley was under the influence of a substance, with alcohol not suspected. Dooley was arrested and consented to a blood test under implied consent at the trooper’s request.

Schrader acknowledged the deputy’s concern that he did not observe impairment during the first crash and said he believes the deputy would have handled it differently if impairment had been suspected. Schrader added that the sheriff’s office will be scheduling additional advanced training in the near future.

Schrader said he released the statement in response to community questions and concerns, emphasizing, “This is just the truth, no ‘cover-ups.’”