KINGS BAY, Ga — A commanding officer for the USS Georgia at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay has been relieved from duty after he was arrested for DUI.
Officers from the St. Marys Police Department responded to a crash with two heavily damaged vehicles at 10:00 p.m. on January 8.
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When officers arrived at the scene, they said saw Naval Commanding Officer Geoffry Patterson standing in the median between the southbound lanes of Charlie Smith Senior Highway, next to a “large amount of debris.”
A witness who pulled over to help warned police that he suspected the driver, Patterson, to be under the influence of alcohol.
Police reports state that officers were able to smell the alcohol on Patterson. He told police that he was on his way back to Kings Bay Base after having three drinks from a local bar.
He told police that while on his way to the base gate, he had, “hit something in the road.”
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The object he hit was an unoccupied car that was on the side of the road, as well as a pedestrian crossing sign. Patterson’s car was also found to be uninsured.
Patterson was arrested for driving under the influence, failure to maintain lane, and operating a vehicle without insurance.
He is now being held at the Camden County Jail in Woodbine.
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The Department of the Navy issued the following statement:
“USS Georgia (SSGN 729) Blue Crew Commanding Officer Relieved
“On January 12, 2024, Commander, Submarine Group Ten, Rear Adm. Thomas “T.R.” Buchanan, relieved Capt. Geoffry Patterson as commanding officer of USS Georgia (SSGN 729) Blue Crew due to loss of confidence in his ability to command.
“USS Georgia is commanded by Capt. Christopher Osborn, commanding officer of USS Georgia Gold Crew. There is no impact to operations.
“Navy commanding officers are held to high standards of personal and professional conduct. They are expected to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, reliability, and leadership, and the Navy holds them accountable when they fall short of those standards.”
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