#GeorgiaStatePatrol | AM 1180 Radio

April 18, 2026

Four Georgia State Troopers Fired Following Misconduct Investigation

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Four Georgia State Troopers have been terminated following an internal investigation into misconduct involving personal injury claims, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

In a statement released by the agency, officials said the investigation began after information surfaced in January 2026 indicating that several troopers were filing personal injury claims tied to incidents stemming from vehicle pursuits.

The Department’s Office of Professional Standards conducted a review and found that the troopers had submitted numerous crash and incident reports to an attorney. That attorney then sought monetary settlements on their behalf from individuals involved in pursuits that had been initiated by the troopers.

Officials determined that the manner in which the claims were made violated department policy and ethical standards. As a result, all four troopers involved were dismissed.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety emphasized that the actions of those individuals do not reflect the agency as a whole, noting its commitment to professionalism, accountability, and maintaining public trust.

The investigation has concluded, and no additional details about the individuals involved have been released.

January 27, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Dodge Ram Hits Summerville City Backhoe on Highway 27 Near Chattooga River Bridge; Driver Suffers Medical Emergency

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Georgia State Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash Monday night involving a City of Summerville backhoe and a Dodge Ram truck on Highway 27 (Georgia 1) just north of the Chattooga River bridge.

January 26, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Sheriff: Deputy Saw No Impairment After First Crash, Second Collision Minutes Later Led to DUI Arrest

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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.

January 25, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Summerville Man Arrested After Injury Crash; Jail Records List DUI-Drugs Charge

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A Summerville man was arrested Friday, January 23, 2026, following a traffic crash that resulted in serious injuries, according to booking and incident records from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office. Records show Billy Joe Dooley, 59, was booked into the Chattooga County Jail at approximately 10:09 p.m. after being arrested earlier that evening by the Georgia State Patrol.

Jail records list the following charges: DUI / Drugs / Less Safe, failure to stop at a stop sign, reckless driving, and serious injury by vehicle. The incident report narrative states the arrest followed a traffic stop connected to a crash investigation, and the case remains under the criminal justice process.

Dooley has been arrested multiple times on charges of open container and DUI, dating back to 2016.

Dooley’s booking record reflects no bond listed at the time of booking.

January 7, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Reports Seven Traffic Deaths Over New Year’s Holiday

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The Georgia Department of Public Safety reports that seven people died in automobile crashes statewide during the 102-hour New Year’s holiday travel period, as troopers and officers worked high-visibility patrols across Georgia, including routes serving Northwest Georgia.

January 4, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia DPS Releases New Year’s Holiday Travel Activity Report

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The Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) has released an activity report for the New Year’s holiday travel period, showing hundreds of citations and dozens of serious crashes statewide.

December 31, 2025

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia DPS Releases Christmas Travel Numbers: 274 DUIs, 489 Distracted Driving Cases, 15 Total Fatalities

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Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia Department of Public Safety released new enforcement and crash numbers Monday for the Christmas Holiday Travel Period, showing hundreds of citations and multiple fatal crashes statewide.

December 24, 2025

by WZQZ NEWS

GSP, CVE Step Up Holiday Patrols Across Georgia as Christmas, New Year Travel Peaks

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Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Troopers and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Officers are urging drivers across Northwest Georgia to slow down and drive smart during the heavy-traffic Christmas and New Year’s travel windows, with high-visibility patrols planned statewide on interstates and state routes to help reduce crashes and fatalities. Georgia DPS has used these holiday periods for focused enforcement on unsafe behaviors like impaired driving, speeding, seatbelt violations, and distracted driving.

December 18, 2025

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia DPS Receives $4.6 Million H.E.A.T. Grant to Continue Nighthawks DUI Task Force and Statewide Safety Patrols

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The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has awarded the Georgia Department of Public Safety a Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic, or H.E.A.T., grant worth about $4.6 million to continue major traffic safety efforts across the state. The grant took effect October 1, 2025, and runs through September 30, 2026.

December 12, 2025

by WZQZ NEWS

Rome Police Identify Homicide Victim; Two Remain In Custody

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The Rome Police Department continues to investigate a homicide discovered in the John Graham Homes area near Hull Avenue and Cedar Avenue.