On April 17, 2026, Officer Gage Gunnels responded to a welfare check near Myrtle Avenue and Palmetto Drive, where he discovered James H. Godsey unconscious in the driver’s seat of a gray minivan stuck in a ditch. Upon arrival, officers noted a glass pipe on the floorboard, a crushed beer can in a bag, and the key fob in the ignition. Despite repeated attempts to wake him, Mr. Godsey was unresponsive and eventually resisted commands to exit the vehicle, attempting instead to start the engine before being removed by officers without further incident.

During the subsequent investigation, Mr. Godsey exhibited slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol, admitting to consuming a “tall boy” and using methamphetamine the previous day. A search of the vehicle yielded multiple empty alcohol containers and an additional glass pipe, while a records check revealed his driver’s license had been suspended since 2024. Due to a physical disability, Mr. Godsey only underwent the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test during Field Sobriety testing, during which he showed multiple signs of impairment and repeatedly fell asleep.

Following the administration of a search warrant, two vials of blood were drawn for testing. Mr. Godsey was subsequently booked into the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office on charges of Driving Under the Influence (Second Offense), Driving on a Suspended License, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His vehicle was towed, and his dog was released to the care of his brother.