Police: Duluth Woman Had Open Alcohol Containers in Vehicle, Child Improperly Restrained in Seat

Updated Jan. 10

A Duluth woman is facing charges that include child endangerment and driving under the influence after an incident Wednesday (January 8) near I-85 in Suwanee, according to police.

Andrea Aura Payne of a Red Pine Court address in Duluth was booked into the Gwinnett Detention Center on Wednesday evening, according to jail records. Other charges include open container, and impeding traffic flow.

According to Suwanee Police records, an officer responded to a vehicle that was stopped on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, just before the intersection with the I-85 North entrance ramp.

The officer initially went about conducting a road obstruction/motorist assist procedure. Eventually, the officer asked the suspect to move the vehicle to a nearby gas station, and told police dispatch that the call was being upgraded to a traffic stop.

After interviewing the suspect in the vehicle, the officer noticed that her speech was slightly slurred, and that she had difficulty answering simple questions and performing simple tasks. Her two children were in the back seat, and the officer noticed a case of beer sitting open between the children.

When the suspect left the vehicle, the officer noticed an open beer can in the driver side door container. Later, the officer noticed an open, half-empty bottle of whiskey on the passenger side floorboard, according to the incident report.

Also, another responding officer noticed that one of the two children in the back seat was improperly restrained in a car seat, the police report noted.

When officers attempted to handcuff her, the suspect began screaming loudly for help. She then snatched her right arm away from an officer, pointed toward one of her children, and told the child to "run," according to the report.

The other responding officer contacted the suspect's husband to have him take custody of the children, and to take possession of the vehicle.

Note: This article has been updated to include the correct date of the incident.

This information comes from Suwanee Police and the Gwinnett Sheriff's Office. It does not indicate a conviction. Questions should be directed to suwanee@patch.com.