GBI Investigation Continues

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was still working this week on its investigation of a bullet hole to the hood of a Ford Explorer that was involved in a fatal accident May 21.

Tom Davis, Special Agent in Charge in the Milledgeville office which serves Jasper County, said Friday they still had a couple of interviews to complete.

Mr. Davis was out of the office this week, however Mark Mansfield, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, confirmed that the investigation is not yet complete. He said they hoped to wrap it up by Friday.

Officer B. Walker with the Georgia State Patrol this week said that the Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT) had reviewed the accident and reached the same conclusion as he had. There was no contact between the police car and the victim’s car.

Jeremy Joiner was killed when he lost control of the Explorer, leaving the road on Hwy. 83, just south of the city limits, and being thrown from the vehicle. The vehicle traveled more than 700 feet in the accident.

Monticello Police Officer Freddie Major was in pursuit of the vehicle just before the accident occurred.

A bullet hole was discovered in the hood of the car when the State Patrol was investigating the wreck. Officer Major said he must have accidentally discharged his weapon when he slipped in the grass. He was not aware the weapon had been fired until he checked it the next day at the GSP’s request.

Officer Major remains on administrative leave this week, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Chief Dan Norris anticipates putting him back to work soon, but said he is awaiting the GBI report. He said he always likes to cooperate with other agencies.