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Teachers charged in alcohol-related accident

By LEE WILLIAMS
lwilliams@TheCitizenNews.com

Two Fayette County School teachers face alcohol-related charges after their vehicle collided with a Peachtree City resident’s car Wednesday night.

Joyce Estelle Rivera, 37, of 1104 Iveydale Lane, Peachtree City, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of an open container of alcohol while operating a vehicle and improper backing, following the incident that occurred about 8:45 p.m.

Rivera’s passenger, Stephanie M. Sudduth, 37, of 309 Haskin Knoll, Peachtree City, was charged with resisting an officer, littering and possession of an open container of alcohol in connection with the crime.

Rivera was behind the wheel of her 2002 black Dodge Durango with her co-worker Sudduth seated beside her. As Rivera attempted to back out onto the street, she collided into a vehicle driven by Gregory A. Quandt, 42, of 264 Claridge Curve, Peachtree City, on Timberlay Lane and Log House Road.

Peachtree City police officers responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, police noted Rivera’s eyes were bloodshot; she had slurred speech; and her movement was unbalanced, according to police reports. She also had open cans of beer in the vehicle, police said.

Rivera allegedly failed a field sobriety test and a breathlyzer test. Her blood alcohol level was .098, police said. The legal alcohol limit is .08.

Her passenger, Sudduth, allegedly tried to thwart the officer’s efforts.

“Subject No. 2 (Sudduth) was found to have been in possession of an open container of alcohol in the car,” police said. “She discarded beer cans outside the vehicle and in line of bushes on the side of the road. She interfered with the investigation ... by lying about certain facts involved in the case.”

Rivera was detained and transported to the Fayette County Jail for booking. She was released the next day after posting a $1,761 bond. Sudduth was cited in the case, but was not transported to the jail.

Fayette County School Board spokeswoman Melinda Berry-Dreisbach was contacted. She agreed to compile a list of information and pass it on to The Citizen at her earliest convenience. However, the information was unavailable at presstime.