Gwinnett Daily Post

DULUTH - A Gwinnett County police officer who was arrested and charged with DUI this weekend has been placed on administrative leave.

James Stoudenmire, a four-year veteran of the Gwinnett County Police Department, was driving a 2006 Ford Mustang about 1:15 a.m. Saturday when the vehicle struck a 1999 Mazda 626 stopped at a traffic light on Pleasant Hill Road near Interstate 85.

Gwinnett police who responded to the scene smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Stoudenmire's breath. The 27-year-old, who was off duty at the time of the incident, told officers he was coming from Wild Bill's and that he had started drinking about 4 p.m. and had four drinks. During field sobriety evaluations, an officer observed that he was unsteady before Stoudenmire asked to stop the evaluations.

Stoudenmire was arrested and taken to the Gwinnett County Detention Center, where he posted bail of $1,557 and was released early Saturday morning.

Stoudenmire was relieved of his duties and placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation by the Gwinnett County Police Department's Professional Standards Unit.

A passenger in the Mazda was treated at the scene and released after complaining of a leg injury.