The man who crashed his car into the Walker County Probate Court offices on Saturday has been charged with possession of methamphetamine, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and criminal interference with government property.
According to the incident report for the crash, Dennis Wiley, 42, was first spotted by police when his Chevy Trailblazer failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of North Chattanooga and Culberson streets.
A police officer pulled behind Wiley, at which point his vehicle turned east and ran the stop sign at the railroad tracks on Patton Street.
The report said the vehicle continued east on Patton Street and swerved into the opposite lane before increasing in speed. The officer began to suspect the driver of the vehicle might be under the influence and turned on his emergency lights.
The vehicle continued to pick up speed, even after the officer attempted to pull Wiley over, and eventually ran another stop sign at the intersection of West Patton and Cherokee streets and a red light at Patton and South Main streets. The officer continued to pursue the vehicle.
(READ MORE: Walker County Probate Court offices closed due to damage caused in weekend crash)
Contributed Photo by Joe Legge / Walker County Probate Court offices are closed after a vehicle crashed into the building over the weekend.After running yet another stop sign at Patton and South Duke streets, Wiley attempted to turn north on Duke Street and lost control of his vehicle, the report said. It struck a 'No Parking' sign and a bench on the sidewalk before finally crashing into the side of the courthouse, the report said.
The officer approached the vehicle after the crash to investigate.
Wiley put his hands up to show that he did not have any weapons, and the officer asked him to get out of the vehicle. He said he could not, according to the report. The officer said the man's speech was slurred at the time.
After a few minutes, the officer assisted Wiley from the vehicle and onto the grass on the sidewalk, the report said. The officer then placed Wiley's right hand in handcuffs. Wiley told the officer he wouldn't hurt him and refused to give him his other arm. It took two officers to handcuff Wiley, the report said, and he was placed in custody at that time.
When the officer attempted to walk Wiley to his patrol car, he said he asked if Wiley had anything in his pockets that might cut him. Wiley said he might have a "little something" on him.
The officer searched Wiley and found a plastic bag with a green leafy substance inside, the report said. He also discovered a glass pipe, which fell on the ground and broke. Wiley claimed he did not know how the pipe had gotten into his pocket. The officer said in the report that he could smell alcohol on his breath at the time.
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Wiley was placed in the back of the patrol car while officers continued to investigate the scene of the crash. Local first responders came to check and treat any injuries he may have sustained during the crash. They determined Wiley had no serious injuries.
During their investigation, officers discovered an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. Wiley was asked for a sample of blood for testing but refused.
Wiley was then taken to the Walker County Jail, where he was booked.
The Walker County Probate Court offices will remain closed until Wednesday.
Superior Court Chief Judge Kristina Coo Graham issued a judicial emergency order to keep the probate court offices closed earlier this week after local building officials determined the building was "not safe for probate court personnel to remain inside at this time," according to Walker County spokesman Joe Legge.
The cost associated with any potential repairs is not yet known.
Regular Probate Court business will be conducted virtually and by phone until offices reopen.
Walker County Probate Court can be accessed online at walkercountyga.gov/residents/probate-court or by phone at 706-638-2852.
Contact Kelcey Caulder at kcaulder@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6327. Follow her on Twitter @kelceycaulder.