Amanda Davis of Fox 5 arrested on DUI charges
Amanda Davis has been with Fox 5 for 26 years. CREDIT: Fox 5
Amanda Davis, a veteran evening anchor at Fox 5 Atlanta, has been arrested on charges of driving under the influence in a wrong-way crash, according to the Atlanta police. She was reportedly driving northbound in the southbound lane on Piedmont Ave. at 12:30 a.m. early Sunday morning. She was taken to jail and released later that day.
Details are in this story on ajc.com with her mug shot.
You have to give WAGA-TV credit for reporting the news on air and on its website, though the headline does not reference the DUI.
Davis has worked at Fox 5 since 1986 and anchors the 6 and 10 p.m. news. She was an original anchor in 1992 for “Good Day Atlanta.”
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257 comments Add your comment
rod
November 12th, 2012
5:17 pm
she had a dui several years ago
Ruth
November 12th, 2012
5:23 pm
I am praying for her. This is really sad and clearly she needs support and help not criticism. I hope she seeks the help she needs. God bless her soul.
LadeeM
November 12th, 2012
5:27 pm
She has lost all credibility as a news anchor. I expect the local Fox station to fire her; they must, for all kinds of reasons. She seems like a nice person with a drinking problem. I wish you well, Ms. Davis.
RinTinTim
November 12th, 2012
5:27 pm
She needs to be fired. This is her second DUI. She is an idiot for driving drunk and I hope they throw the book at her. She is a disgrace to FOX 5.
A. Lett
November 12th, 2012
5:29 pm
Pray… Pray…
Pris
November 12th, 2012
5:30 pm
I have seen people talking about how none of us are perfect. Well when it comes to drinking and driving, YES I am perfect in that sense. I would never put lives at risk. I almost lost my Dad when he was hit head on by a drunk driver, on his way to work. A friend of mine since the 7th grade lost her younger sister 7 yrs ago, when a drunk driver hit her head on. She left behind 3 small kids. I won’t pray for Amanda, but I will pray for the person she hit head on and could have killed. She deserves no special treatment either. Jail her and order her into long term rehab. I have zero sympathy for her. This was not some mistake either. You do not make a mistake when you knowingly get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. You know what you are doing.
Shannon
November 12th, 2012
5:31 pm
I don’t know why God planned it this way, but after 3 hours of being dragged up and down a field, all you have to do to get Payton Manning ready for a live interview is toss him a towel.
Women, on the other hand – if we’re caught in a photo without make up, we look like we’ve been dragged up and down a football field for 3 hours.
Pris
November 12th, 2012
5:32 pm
And Fox 5 needs to grow a set, and address the issue more. Not just read something about it real quick, and hop right over to the next news story. That is exactly what they did at the top of the hour.
Paul A
November 12th, 2012
5:43 pm
I suppose it’s human nature that if someone we know and like does something bad or dumb, we are quick to forgive and wish them well. But if it’s someone we don’t know or don’t like, we are equally quick to condemn. I don’t watch local news but I’m familiar with her name and face and she’s apparently done good things in the community. However, good works don’t entitle you to break the law and endanger the lives of innocent people. I doubt any of us would make excuses for her if she hit a close friend or one of our children or family members head on. She should be prosecuted and treated appropriately. Her news bosses will decide her job fate. Whatever they decide, let’s hope they come to it fairly and objectively.
Leo
November 12th, 2012
5:46 pm
It is a shame that this has happened to an icon in Atlanta. However she is still a human being and to me is no different than any other person that you all have reported on in her situation. This is a blog and that is what it is set up for. If you didn’t want anyone to comment then………
Shannon
November 12th, 2012
5:50 pm
Thank you for the disclaimer to maintain civility- It seems that there is a major issue with wrong way drivers lately and I think there is likely some accidental prescription drug mixing happening. I am glad no one was physically hurt and I wish her the best.
Cassandra J
November 12th, 2012
5:52 pm
Amanda has and has had this drinking problem for quite some time. This is not the first time that she’s been drinking and driving. This is the first time or should I say the 2nd time that the news media has found out about her drinking problem….but this is the first for her to have been locked up. Amanda’s drinking problem is a mask for some very troubled emotional and psychological issues. The even sadder concern is that she cries out thru her drinking to be heard and healed but we don’t always see celebrities as human beings thus dismissing her, with just a light slap on the hand because of her status. She has to be held accountable and treated like everyone else. The brillance in her newcasting is that she’s genuine and sincere and that’s why people connect to her but she has to recognize her beautiful light and seek the help she so desperately needs. I’m very happy no one was KILLED as a result of her bad judgement and I pray she sees the fall from her celebritsm. The thing is, it’s not how far you fall down……..but how you get up. GET UP AMANDA!!!!
Eric
November 12th, 2012
5:57 pm
Amanda has been good to the Atlanta TV market for so many years… first on WSB, and during the 26 years she’s been at WAGA. I do pray and hope that Amanda can and will learn from this very unfortunate mistake… and I also pray and hope that she seeks treatment, and can recover from this.
pettybone
November 12th, 2012
6:01 pm
Mrs. davis is human an a great person and she will be ok because the prayers of righteous avail much God has her back and my prayers are with you love pettybone
Abigail
November 12th, 2012
6:16 pm
Amanda is a ood person i do not understand why she would do this. May God be with her.
Abigail
November 12th, 2012
6:18 pm
Amanda is a good person. I do not understand why she would do this.May God bless her.
BroC
November 12th, 2012
6:18 pm
I, too, am surprised and disappointed. She has done so much good for so many during her tenure there. But no-one is exempt from being a victim of this seductive drink called alcohol. I just hope she will step up, and start with Step 1 in AA. I also hope that if Channel 5 has an EAP (Employee Assistance Program), they would mandate that she take advantage of it if she is to stay.
fantasylane
November 12th, 2012
6:24 pm
Recently say the movie “Flight” which is about a high functioning alcoholic. This disease can impact anyone, regardless of race, status,. age or income. Ms. Davis is the only one to say if she is an alcoholic. But this seems like a giant wake up call. I wish her all the best.
Mercedes S.
November 12th, 2012
6:29 pm
All these wishes for prayers and help still can’t remove the fact that this woman has had a couple of DUIs and now she has committed a rather serious traffic crime that could have resulted in people being killed or badly injured. No matter how good a newsperson she is, when she is in the public eye on TV she’s held up as an example for people to admire. Logical step for TV station might be to find her an off the air position, at last for a while.
jackass
November 12th, 2012
6:42 pm
i think a lot of times she was drinking on the job no more wedsday child poor kids
jackass
November 12th, 2012
6:44 pm
your fired chanel 2 dont want you
Mary
November 12th, 2012
6:54 pm
I had just sent Ms. Davis a letter (yes, via United States Post Office) thanking her for her dedication to the Wednesday’s Child segments and her obvious compassion for the children she interviews. I hope the public can forgive her momentary indescretion and give her another chance to do what she does so well: inform the public with her empathy.
pat pritchett
November 12th, 2012
6:55 pm
Hello Amanda and the Tv network, I want only the best for you,firing is not the answer, God has the power to cure us both from this curse and we can do it together. i have had both breasts removed and and climb any mountain, so come on amanda lets show the world, we can quit drinking and also can get me some new wonderful breasts Who knows, god does that who. Love you Amanda and this tv show if you fire her I will quit watching you.
pinklady404
November 12th, 2012
6:58 pm
Always remember, you can begin again. Keeping you in my prayers.
Watcher
November 12th, 2012
6:59 pm
Davis was also arrested for driving under the influence, speeding and failing to maintain lane in December 1991.
Ms.Simon
November 12th, 2012
6:59 pm
I wonder if all the ones that are saying she’s such a great person and such would be saying the same thing if it was their family member that she hit…. hmmmm
This is not her first DUI and to be honest sometimes it’s questionable in the way that she acts on air if she’s drunk then. Observe.
Amanda GET HELP.
P.K.
November 12th, 2012
7:07 pm
I hate this happened to Amanda, I like her as an anchorwoman. I’m reading ALL of these comments and some of you jerks are truly heartless and not to mention, while you are critizing, you can’t even spell. What can WAGA FOX5 Atlanta do or say? Just what in the world do you want them to say or do?!? If you were in the same situation(or worse), what would you want your employer to do? FOX5 reported the story, good grief, get a life, PLEASE!!! We as people can ALWAYS point the finger @ someone and don’t even realize that we have three fingers pointed right back @ us. It is clear that she has a serious problem and is an alcoholic, I just pray and hope she gets the help and counseling she needs. Alcoholism is a serious and deadly disease/illness and it destroys lives.
HeyJude
November 12th, 2012
7:14 pm
Sad and deeply disappointed in her…
RealTalk
November 12th, 2012
7:16 pm
Really? Be nice with comments or you will shut it down huh? Imagine that….Too bad other people that got wirtten up on this blog aren’t afforded the same luxury.
Anyway, isn’t she a little too old to be getting her swerve on? How are you goign to be on the news acing all uppitty but you out late getting your drink on and wrong way driving? smh.
jackass
November 12th, 2012
7:23 pm
your fired
Youdoitright2
November 12th, 2012
7:32 pm
Amanda, I am sorry for the accident. People are doing a lot of talk, and have been under the influence after leaving a party. People the only reason some of you judge is because you have not gotten caught, not because you haven’t drank and then drove. We are praying for you and any one involved.
rising
November 12th, 2012
7:59 pm
I absolutely love watching Amanda, however, this is sort of a fatal error. Not a good thing for a news show.
Georgia Peach
November 12th, 2012
8:04 pm
I really don’t know what to say other than I’m disappointed and shocked. I’ve been watching her for many years, she’s one of my favorite news anchors on tv. I want to shake her and ask what she was thinking! (she wasn’t thinking at all)…..She has a daughter to think about too, she’s possibly ruined her career. Thank God nobody was killed, at least she has been given a chance to redeem herself somewhat.
skeeter
November 12th, 2012
8:11 pm
Way back when she was on channel 2, she was just a cute face. Today she’s a beautiful lady.
Unfortunately, WE ALL carry around our little sack of rocks.
Pam 97
November 12th, 2012
8:17 pm
I love Amanda Davis….I prayed for her today, i hope everthing goes well when she goes to court..stop judge her we all have done foolish things so befor you talk bad about what she did take a look at your own life….
drew
November 12th, 2012
8:19 pm
Gimme the booooooze!!!!!!
drew
November 12th, 2012
8:22 pm
I think this is great, it shows she is a real human! Now someone get Amanda a drink!
404traci
November 12th, 2012
8:41 pm
This is her 2nd time at this rodeo. From the looks of the pictures, (air bags went off) She is lucky he didnt die.
WONDER IF SHE WILL GET FIRED? Wonder why she wouldnt take the breathalyzer?
2nd DUI. 1st time she got a $400 fine, and community service .
No thought Police
November 12th, 2012
8:42 pm
What is it with these AJC bloggers and their my way or the highway attitude. I bet if this had been one of ROHO’s relatives hit by Amanda he wouldn’t be so quick to defend one of his own.
After reporting on this type of thing for years she should be fired.
Melanie Nix
November 12th, 2012
8:58 pm
Amanda Davis has a prior arrest for DUI. It was several years ago and also occurred in Atlanta. I hope she gets whatever help she needs. I’ve always liked her and I think her work with Wednesday’s Child is very important. Would hate to see her lose her career.
Cold Front
November 12th, 2012
9:01 pm
I can’t believe there are actually people on here who thinks this shouldn’t effect her job. If she pointed a loaded gun at you or yor family while walking along the street would you feel the same? Because if you happened to be on Piedmont Road that night, that’s essentially what she did. Can you imagine the next time she has to sit on the anchor desk and report on a horrendous wrong way DUI wreck that kills someone? Would she have ANY credibility?
It’s a shame what happened. But she is (was) in a position of influencing and speaking for others, and if Fox 5 wants to maintain any trust among its viewers she should not be allowed to return.
G
November 12th, 2012
9:12 pm
She made a mistake, like all of us on the blog have. Being an anchor doesn’t require you to be perfect.
MUSIC MAN
November 12th, 2012
9:36 pm
BRENDA WOOD AS NEVER BEEN ARRESTED FOR DUI…..SHE DOESN’T DRINK!
millicent
November 12th, 2012
9:43 pm
I love Amanda and I pray tht she will not lose her job over this. We have all made mistakes in life and hopefully she will seek the help that she needs to deal with this situation. Only she has to deal with all the negative comments that she herself has put her in along with the Fox 5 news crew. Lets not judge her..
Cold Front
November 12th, 2012
9:45 pm
No you don’t have to be perfect to be an anchor. But any news station that wants to maintain any sense of credibility can’t have someone who repeatedly breaks a law, especially one as important to our society as drunk driving, as the face of their station.
peanutbuttercups
November 12th, 2012
9:52 pm
I am sorry the accident happened. I am so thankful I missed the accident by minutes. I live on Piedmont near Ansley Mall and drove by the crash as the ambulance had arrived along with the three cop cars. That could have been me. How selfish of her. I went out Saturday night and drank diet coke all night.
nurse
November 12th, 2012
9:56 pm
Being a nurse l have seen a lot go on with patients and nurses. Can you say when your nurse comes to your bedside that he/she is not under the influence of some type of medication..no you can’t but it happens. So what we do is offer help for that nurse then if he/she refuse that is when we give them their walking papers…does anyone know if Amanda had treatment or not..not making no excuse for what she as done. Yes she should be punished..I pray for both family’s, but as the bible says “judge Ye not and you won’t be judge”
notme
November 12th, 2012
9:57 pm
If it was a college kid I would forgive him. If it was somebody in their early 30’s, I still would forgive them. Cause a DUI crash for a person in their 50’s is hardly unforgiven. Young and stupid is one thing but she is too old to be doing this.
Lisa
November 12th, 2012
10:21 pm
I believe they are trying to say she was on medication.
Brandon C.
November 12th, 2012
10:24 pm
Hopefully Amanda Davis will get the help she needs so she can return to the anchor desk. Amanda has been with FOX 5 for many years and I enjoy seeing Ms. Davis on the NEWS.