A Clayton County state judge found Earl Middlebrooks guilty Thursday of failing to yield the right of way after a January 2024 crash and ordered a $100 fine, plus required surcharges totaling $151.50, with 60 days to pay.

The case was heard in a bench trial before Judge Tammy Long Hayward. Detective Crystal Richards of the Clayton County Police Department testified that when she responded to the crash on Flat Shoals Road and Castle Gate Drive she observed rear damage on Middlebrooks’s vehicle and front-right damage on the other vehicle, and that Middlebrooks told her he had been reversing from his driveway. "I did issue a citation for the failure to yield a right away of traffic," Detective Richards testified.

State prosecutor Mr. Tipton urged conviction, arguing the physical damage and the officer’s investigation supported a finding that Middlebrooks entered the roadway unsafely. During his testimony, Middlebrooks said he was in his driveway and that the other vehicle “barely clipped my front bumper.” The court permitted Middlebrooks to testify after the state rested its case.

Judge Hayward said the vehicle already on the roadway has the right of way and that drivers entering or leaving driveways must make sure the roadway is clear. "The court will find you guilty of the offense of failure to yield the right of way," she said.

The judge declined the prosecutor’s request for a higher fine, stating a $100 penalty (plus surcharges) was sufficient and allowed Middlebrooks 60 days to pay. The court also directed staff to send Middlebrooks a sentencing sheet and payment instructions by email.

The charge on the calendar was listed as case 2024TK01920 for failure to yield the right of way. The state presented Detective Richards as its primary witness and rested after her testimony; Middlebrooks testified in his own defense before the verdict.

Several other cases on the court’s traffic calendar that day were continued, dismissed, or resolved by plea because officers were unavailable or reported conflicts, the judge noted at the calendar’s conclusion.

Middlebrooks is free to appeal the bench decision under court rules; the transcript does not record any immediate post-trial motion or an appeal filing.