Clayton Man Arrested after Fleeing the Scene of an Accident

A Clayton man has been arrested on an abundance of charges.

Joseph Scott Butler, 53, was arrested on September 9th for driving under the influence of drugs, hit and run, striking a fixed object, and aggressive driving.

According to Clayton Chief of Police, Andy Strait, Clayton Police received a call from dispatch regarding an accident that occurred at the intersection of Forrester and Dunlap Drive. When the police arrived at the scene of the crash, they realized that the vehicle involved had fled, after causing damages to street signs. After searching the area, officers spotted Butler a few blocks from the scene, on number 10 lane, where his red truck showed signs of front end damage.

Strait mentioned that he showed signs of being under the influence of a substance.

“His speech was slurred, he was slow to react to questions, and had a difficult time standing up.” Strait said “They performed a series of field sobriety tests on him, and got some clues that the subject was under the influence of some substance”

Butler admitted to officers that he had taken muscle relaxers earlier in the day, which had some detrimental effects on him, still.

Strait said that Butler also admitted that he was driving the truck, claiming that his breaks had gone out, which led to him crashing into the road signs.

Joseph Scott Butler was transported to the Rabun County Detention Center, and his vehicle was impounded.