Speeding While Drunk
Just after midnight on May 7th, 2025, a deputy with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office was traveling north on Interstate 85 near the 46 mile marker when they observed a white Lexus change lanes before accelerating to a speed in excess of 100 miles per hour at which time the deputy activated their lights and attempted to stop the vehicle.
Instead the driver of the vehicle continued to accelerate to a speed of 120 MPH while drifting between lanes.
Around the 49 mile marker the suspect finally began slowing before eventually putting on her right blinker and coming to a stop in the emergency lane. The pursuing deputy, now joined by others, began conducting a felony stop of the vehicle.
It took multiple times of giving commands over the patrol vehicles PA system before the suspect exited the vehicle, when asked how many people were in the vehicle she responded three. When deputies were finally able to get the suspect in cuffs she immediately became irate and was quickly placed in the back of a patrol vehicle.
With Children in the Vehicle
Deputies than began giving commands to the occupants of the vehicle to exit with their hands up, to which they received no response. It’s at this time the suspect informed officers there may be children in the vehicle. Deputies approached the vehicle and located 2 children inside. The children were immediately removed from the vehicle for their safety.
When a deputy returned to the patrol vehicle to speak with the suspect she began arguing with the deputy regarding the reason for the stop. The deputy attempted to close the door, however the suspect put her foot in the way preventing it from closing. When the deputy tried to move her leg the suspect struck the deputy in the face with her foot.
An investigation, that the suspect hindered at every point, determined that the suspect was driving under the influence, which was backed up by the fact a nearly empty bottle of tequila was located in the passenger seat of the vehicle.
The suspect refused to give any information regarding the children, an 8 year old and 6 year old. Deputies spoke with the children and learned that the 6 year old had a cell phone and was able to provide deputies with her contact information.
It was determined that the 8 year old was the suspects daughter. The mother of the 6 year old was asked to respond to the sheriff’s office where she took custody, with the suspects blessing, of both children. The mother explained that she was close friends with the suspect and that they took turns watching the children.
NCST’S CRIME COVERAGE IS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
HELP Spay/Neuter Clinic!
Suspect Arrested
Booking records indicate the following individual was arrested and booked regarding the incident.
Nyriah Nichelle Johns, 28
Nyriah Nichelle Johns, 28, of Buford was arrested by deputies with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Coweta County Jail for the following charge(s).
- FLEEING/ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE POLICE OFFICER (F)
- WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BY USE OF T (F)
- DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL (M)
- ENDANGERING A CHILD BY DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOH (M)
- ENDANGERING A CHILD BY DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOH (M)
- SPEEDING (M)
- FAILURE TO DRIVE IN SINGLE LANE OF TRAFFIC (M)
- OPERATING VEHICLE WITHOUT REGISTRATION/VALID TAG (M)
- RECKLESS DRIVING (M)
She was denied bond by the Magistrate Judge at her first appearance and as of May tenth remains in the custody of the Coweta County Jail.
