HALL COUNTY, Ga. — Hall County Sheriff Gerald Jay Couch was arrested Friday and charged with driving under the influence following a traffic stop in Hall County, according to authorities and jail records.
The 63-year-old sheriff faces charges of DUI – alcohol/less safe, open container, and failure to maintain lane.
In a press release issued Friday evening, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office said the incident began at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 27 when a deputy operating an unmarked vehicle observed a black Chevrolet Tahoe traveling on Green Hill Road and failing to maintain its lane.
The deputy followed the vehicle as it turned into a private driveway. Upon making contact with the driver, the deputy detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage and observed clear signs of impairment,” said sheriff’s office spokesperson Derreck Booth.
According to the deputy, Sheriff Couch’s speech was slurred, and he was “unsteady on his feet.”
Because the driver was Sheriff Couch, the deputy requested the Georgia State Patrol to handle the DUI investigation. After completing its investigation, the Georgia State Patrol arrested Couch and transported him to the Hall County Jail. He posted a $1,560 bond and was released from jail at approximately 6 p.m. Friday.
Booth said Couch was driving his county-issued vehicle at the time of the incident. The sheriff’s office took possession of the vehicle and notified state officials of the arrest.
