Whitfield County sheriff’s deputy arrested on DUI charges

WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. — A Whitfield County Sheriff’s deputy is no longer employed by the agency after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the sheriff’s office.

Georgia State Patrol conducted a traffic stop at approximately 2 a.m. after developing suspicion that the driver was impaired. The driver was identified as Whitfield County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Woods, who was off-duty and driving his personal vehicle at the time, according to the sheriff’s office.

Woods was taken into custody and transported to the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office jail, where he was booked on three charges:

• DUI less safe, under O.C.G.A. 40-6-391
• Failure to maintain lane, under O.C.G.A. 40-6-48
• Failure to obey a traffic control device, under O.C.G.A. 40-6-20

The sheriff’s office said Woods is no longer employed by the agency.

Sheriff Darren J. Pierce and the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office said the agency is committed to transparency, including when allegations involve its own employees.

“The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office holds employees to a high standard so that citizens of this county can receive the level of service they deserve,” the agency said in the release.

The investigation and arrest are being handled by the Georgia State Patrol. Questions regarding the case should be directed to GSP, according to the sheriff’s office.