Woman Arrested for DUI Hit and Run in Athens

Amy Melissa Staud was arrested by Athens-Clarke County Police on charges of DUI and hit and run after crashing her silver Chevrolet Equinox into a light pole in downtown Athens, Georgia. The incident occurred when Staud struck the light pole and continued driving, leaving debris that damaged a witness's parked vehicle.

A witness recorded video of the incident and contacted 911 to report the hit and run. Officers located Staud in a nearby hotel parking deck following the crash. When questioned by police, Staud claimed she thought she had only hit the light pole and was unaware she had caused additional property damage.

Staud told officers she was on her lunch break and had been eating fish and fries from Captain D's restaurant. During a search of her vehicle, police discovered an open beer concealed under her purse. The suspect refused to submit to a breath test when requested by officers.

The bodycam footage was obtained through a public records request and shows the arrest process. Athens-Clarke County Police responded to the scene after receiving the witness report of the hit and run incident. The debris from Staud's vehicle caused damage to the witness's parked car in addition to the initial collision with the light pole.

Staud faces charges of driving under the influence and hit and run in connection with the downtown Athens incident.