NCST News Previous Coverage
For more information regarding this accident and details from the initial report released, please read the article below.
GSP’s Final Report Provides More Details
The Georgia State Patrol has released its DPS Incident Report regarding an August 24th, 2024. DUI Accident on North Hwy 29 that claimed the life of Robin Slaton, 64, of Union City.
The initial report released days after the incident listed the charges faced by the suspect, Gregory Shane Hammett, 34, of Sharpsburg, but had failed to detail the drugs found on the scene.
This report also expands upon the narrative describing the accident and efforts by first responders on scene.
Multiple Drugs Found in Possession of the Suspect
According to the report the suspect was found in possession of the following.
A clear plastic bag containing [ a ] crystal-like substance, found to be Methamphetamine.
A clear plastic bag containing suspected Mushrooms.
A clear plastic bag containing [ a ] green leafy substance, found to be Marijuana.
One Marijuana Blunt.
On top of the Driving Under the Influence of Drugs charge, Hammett was charged with Possession of Marijuana Less than 1 oz, and two separate counts of Purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of controlled substances or marijuana, representing the Mushrooms and Methamphetamine found at the scene.
Editors Note: In the narrative below, the investigating Trooper makes mention to finding “ballons”, both full and empty within the suspect’s vehicle. The report does not state what was in the ballons or if the ballons had any involvement in the accident.
GSP Troopers Narrative
The following narrative is provided for transparency and may be upsetting to certain individuals. Please take this into consideration before reading.
Redactions made by the Georgia State Patrol ( GSP ) are marked as [ GSP Redaction ].
The accident scene was chaotic when I arrived. It was crowded with first responders and citizens. Some citizens were family of the Chevrolet occupant, some were witnesses and some were not involved at all. The family of the Chevrolet occupant were visibly upset as expected. One did not understand why first responders were not trying to remove the occupant from the Chevrolet. I advised an Officer with Palmetto Police Department to put crime scene tape up and to gather witness information. This was to give us more space to investigate and to keep family from seeing their loved one in this situation.
I was advised there was one occupant in the Ford F250. He was later identified as Gregory Shane Hammett. Hammett was transported by EMS to a location to be life flighted prior to my arrival. I was advised there was one occupant in the Chevrolet Malibu. She was later identified as Robin Slaton. Slaton was trapped inside the Chevrolet and was deceased. I was advised by fire personnel that Slaton’s status was a recovery and not a rescue.
During the accident investigation, we located area of impact in the northbound lane of GA 14 (north of Tommy Lee Cook Rd). This was identified by roadway evidence. After area of impact, both vehicles traveled south on GA 14 and off the east edge of the roadway. They traveled back onto the roadway before coming to a final rest in the northbound lane of GA 14. From area of impact to final rest was about 256ft. This was measured with a Dragon Eye laser. The investigation revealed the Ford was traveling south on GA 14 and the Chevrolet was traveling north.
I took photos of the scene and vehicles. I smelled an odor of marijuana while taking photos inside the Ford. I observed a container of [ GSP Redacted ] (lemon) in the front passenger floorboard of the Ford. Balloons and balloon packs were also observed in the Ford (to include driver’s floorboard). A Palmetto fire fighter advised me the container of [ GSP Redacted ] was between Hammett and the center console after the crash. He advised he moved it when they were removing Hammett from the vehicle.
The roadway evidence and final rest of the vehicles were marked and photographed. The Ford was lifted up and taken off the Chevrolet. First responders began recovering Slaton from the Chevrolet. The inside of the Ford was searched and photographed. An item that appeared to be an attachment to the [ GSP Redacted ] was observed next to the driver seat on the floor. It appeared to have fallen off or broke off the container. It looked similar to a pipe. A second container of [ GSP Redacted ] was observed in the back seat. A clear plastic bag of suspected [ GSP Redacted ] was located in the center console. A suspected [ GSP Redacted ] blunt (partially burnt) was located on thefloor behind the driver seat. A clear plastic bag that contained a crystal like substance was located in the center console.
Slaton was removed from the Chevrolet and taken to the Coroner’s vehicle. For this crash, Gary Stallings responded. We tried locating Slaton’s ID. On top of the Chevrolet was a bag with a unique mushroom design. This same design was observed on a hat inside the Ford. This bag was soaked in oil and is suspected to have been laying on the ground. The ground at final rest was covered in oil. Inside the bag was a clear bag that contained mushrooms. We were able to get a picture from Slaton’s driver’s license and she was positively identified. Stallings performed a blood draw on Slaton. The GBI Blood kit was sent for testing.
During this investigation, TPR. James and TPR. Bell responded to Grady where Hammett was transported to. I had asked if they could identify Hammett and to check for impairment. This was before we located his ID in the Ford. TPR. James advised me Hammett was observed to have pinpoint pupils when he observed him. I was in contact with a SCRT member (TFC3 Mims) and we decided that we would secure the tubes of blood drawn by Grady at intake to be officially tested. It is suspected that Hammett was impaired when this crash occurred.
[ Witness Statements – See Below ]
The SCRT team is assisting in this investigation. The suspected drugs located were placed into evidence at Post 24. Warrants for Hammett are pending. This report will be updated once warrants are secured. I will keep a check on Hammett to monitor his condition so he can be accepted at the jail.
– Trooper Adams, Reporting Officer, DPS Incident Report
Witness Statements
The following witness statements were provided for transparency and may be upsetting to certain individuals. Please take this into consideration before reading.
NCST has chosen to redact identifying information regarding witnesses. Redactions made by NCST are marked as [ NCST Redaction ].
Witness [ NCST Redacted ] advised [ they were ] traveling south on GA 14 passing Tommy Lee Cook Rd when [ they ] heard the crash. [ They ] advised [ they ] looked in [ their ] side mirror and observed the Ford on the Chevrolet in the northbound lane.
Witness [ NCST Redacted ] advised [ they were ] two or three cars behind the Chevrolet traveling north. [ They ] advised [ they ] observed the Ford approaching them at a high rate of speed. [ They ] advised the Ford went into the northbound lane and struck the Chevrolet. [ They ] advised [ they have ] a medical background and stopped to help. [ They ] advised Hammett had opened his door after the crash and advised “I need to go / I need to get out” [ They ] advised he said ” I made a mistake / I came across the road”. [ They ] advised [ they ] spoke to him to calm him down. [ They ] advised he was not wearing his seatbelt due to where he was laying. [ They ] advised during this [ they ] heard screaming. [ They ] wrote the time of 20:48 on [ their ] arm. [ They ] advised [ they ] heard the last scream at 20:51 and wrote it on [ their ] arm. [ They ] advised the screaming [ they ] heard was Slaton. [ They ] advised there were alot of smells in the Ford. [ They ] advised Hammett did not seem in his right mind. [ They ] advised Hammett was sweating and appeared impaired to [ them ]. [ They ] advised [ They ] saw the inhalent and the pipe on the floor.
Witness [ NCST Redacted ] advised [ they ] observed the Ford driving prior to the crash. [ They ] advised the Ford came up behind [ them ] at a high rate of speed and all over the road. [ They ] advised [ they ] was able to pull over in time for the Ford to pass. [ They ] advised after it passed, the Ford passed another vehicle in a no passing zone. [ They ] advised a short distance later [ they ] observed the crash and it looked like the same vehicle. [ They ] described the headlights as brackets or an equal sign. I asked [ them ] to look up the year/make/model of this Ford and [ they ] advised that it was the same pattern [ they ] had observed.
Witness [ NCST Redacted ] advised [ they ] observed the Ford driving prior to the crash. [ They were ] was with [ Previous Witness Above – NCST Redacted ]. [ They ] advised the Ford flew past them and another vehicle. [ They ] advised the Ford almost struck a mailbox. A short distance later, [ They ] observed the crash.
