Storms Wreak Havoc Monday
One accident ini Jasper County sort of kicked off the Labor Day holiday, occurring too early to be counted among the Labor Day accidents, mid-afternoon Friday, rather than after the official start of the holiday weekend at 6 p.m.
It was also not holiday related, as a local woman was injured after colliding with another vehicle on Hwy. 212 east near Sprayberry Road, according to reports.
Several other wrecks did occur during the holiday period, late afternoon Monday when storms pummelled the county. Within the space of about an hour, emergency personnel were called to two structure fires, three fire alarms, four wrecks, and two burglar alarms. This was after they were alerted to a power outage in the city of Monticello.
In one accident, Gromiko West was driving a 2006 Infiniti traveling east on Hwy. 16. He said the heavy rain caused him to lose control and the car overturned, coming to rest on its top. Because emergency officials were deployed elsewhere, rather than wait on an ambulance, they had family members transport them to a hospital, they said.
The weather was frightful for about two hours, with the National Weather Service warning of severe thunderstorms before they arrived, and they were severe.
One of the fires was at a deer camp off Concord Church Road in western Jasper County. Another was a house fire on Hwy. 212 east. Both were started by lightning.
Jasper County Fire Chief Jarret Slocumb said that 13 fire department apparatus were in use at one time Monday, responding to the various calls throughout the county.
Officials also spent part of the Labor Day weekend looking for an individual who was lost on the Ocmulgee River after the canoe which she was in capsized, and she and her friend swam to shore. They lost each other in the process, and the lady remained missing overnight. She was found Sunday, and transported to the Medical Center of Central Georgia where she was treated for her injuries.
The ranger with the Department of Natural Resources said the weekend was relatively quiet on the lake, probably partly due to the weather.
Other calls during the past week included several reports of theft.
On Monday, Aug. 25, deputies were called to the Dollar General store on Hwy. 16 to investigate a theft. Upon completing the investigation a report was filed, and turned over to investigators.
The Investigations unit was also needed to look into the theft of building materials from a constriction site on Hwy. 212. The materials were taken between 4:30 p.m. August 21 and 7 a.m. on August 22, according to the victim’s statement.
Deputies were also called to a location in Monitcello to investigate a case of credit card fraud. Later in the week they were called to the same area in reference to a burglary.
There was a also the report of a theft from a location on Rock Eagle Road and one on Funderburg Drive as well.
A complainant went to the sheriff’s office to report a missing gun, concerned it may have been stolen. Another report of a missing item that may have ben stolen concerned a ladies’ gold watch.
Persons booked into the Jasper County Detention Center during the last week include:
•Bridgette Lee Rogers, 41, Monticello—battery.
•Elizabeth Michelle McWilliams, 19, Monticello—battery.
•Michael Oneal Lyons, 47, Shady Dale—probation violation.
•James Avery Rogers, 24, Monticello—criminal trespass.
•Raymond Carden Goolsby, 54, Monticello—civil contempt arrest order.
•James Anthony Cates, 41, Monticello—child support.
•Richard Eugene Johnston, 49, Monticello—aggravated assault and battery.
•Odell Lamar Thurman, 31, Monticello—hold for warrant in Habersham Co.
•Melvin Dennis, 53, Monticello—obstruction of an officer and driving while license suspended or revoked.
•Nicole Michelle Driskell, 37, Monticello—hold for warrant in Jones Co.
•Samuel Charles Hunter, 49, Rex—obstruction or hinder law enforcement officers and public drunkenness.
Deputies also responded to 371 calls for service, including 105 checking location and 107 stopping suspicious person or vehicle.
They also responded to 15 alarm calls, 13 subject needs officer, 14 assist motorist, 11 mechanical breakdown, and 10 attempt to serve warrant.
