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Published: July 2, 2009
Maj. J.V. Thomas of the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office received minor injuries after wrecking his car near the N.C. 135 turnoff in Eden early Thursday morning.
Sgt. S.L. Wagner of the N.C. Highway Patrol said that Thomas was traveling on Washington Street in between the N.C. 135 turnoff and Hampton Street when he lost control of his car, ran over the curb, ran off the road to the right, went down an embankment, hit a telephone pole and landed with his car straddling across a ditch. The vehicle was a total loss.
Thomas received minor injuries from the wreck, including minor burns on his neck and arms from the air bags. He was transported to Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, where he was treated and released this morning. No charges have been filed against Thomas.
Speed was a factor in the crash. At the time Thomas lost control of his vehicle, he was traveling at an estimated 50 miles per hour, while the posted speed limit is 35, said Wagner. But he said the crash was most likely caused by Thomas’ “inattention” to the road. Dean Venable, public information officer for the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, said Thomas had been on duty and was returning home after responding to a standoff in Madison in which a man causing a disturbance began firing shots in the direction of deputies.
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Reader Reactions
Megan2nd said: “As far as him speeding goes, like we all don’t speed, so stop leaving negative comments, he was making a simple mistake that we all make and luckily he survived..“
Megan, based upon your grammar, I assume you’re in junior hight school. But let me put this in words that even you can understand.
You say he was making a simple mistake? If he had been killed (thank God he wasn’t)...would it still have been a simple mistake? If he had hit a pedestrian (thats someone walking in case that word is too big for you)—would it have still been a simple mistake? Or if he had crashed into you while you were on the way to Walmart to buy some popcicles, and wrecked your car or injured you, would it still qualify as a simple mistake?
If what Major Thomas did was a simple mistake in your mind, I’d hate to see what you qualify as a serious error.
KenPoFan said: “JAF..could be the gettin shot at might cause you to be a little distracted! DUH!“
Oh really? Well if he’s been in law enforcement a long time, and he has been, then I doubt he was all that distracted. And who said he was shot at? No where in the article does it say that Thomas was shot at. That is inside your head.
If he was that distracted by some event on duty, maybe someone should have taken him home or by the hospital for some sedatives for his bad nerves.
He was speeding and distracted. Just because he wears a badge does not absolve him of his responsibility.Like Observer999 said, but let me put it to you, KenPoFan, if he was distracted and he crashed into a member of your family, I doubt you would be all into the “we all speed so get over it” argument. No, you would be over at attorney Bob Crumley’s office trying to sue so you could get that new swimming pool.
Duh that…
But none of the other deputies wrecked their cars. Let’s see how the detention officer mentioned in the other article fares vs. Maj. Thomas. No one is saying Sam’s a bad guy or doesn’t do a good job, but he’s become just a tad misguided in the last few years. I doubt the previous poster would feel the same had this “deputy” crashed into one of her family members and the outcome had been tragic. Thank God it didn’t turn out that way and I hope Major Thomas feels better too, but that doesn’t absolve him of responsibility for his negligence.
This deputy was out at the very early morning hours putting his life on the line, this man was shooting at the deputies, where he was! As far as him speeding goes, like we all don’t speed, so stop leaving negative comments, he was making a simple mistake that we all make and luckily he survived thanks to the quick response from his Partners,EMS,Rescue and Fire!! Hope you feel better major Thomas and Sheriff Page does a fine job!!
No need for him to ask the county commissioners for a new car, Sheriff Sam is already getting a brand new car (already ordered and on the way-cost-$34K-and yes it was paid for with federal forfeiture money but that’s irrelevant when his deputied can’t get basic equipment to keep them safe)and Maj.Thomas will get his old one. No consequences, no repercussions when you are that high up on the food chain. Anybody else would have been fired or at least demoted on the spot. Remember that when you vote.
“Thomas had been on duty and was returning home after responding to a standoff in Madison in which a man causing a disturbance began firing shots in the direction of deputies “
JAF..could be the gettin shot at might cause you to be a little distracted !
DUH !
Okay, the man…excuse me, the OFFICER was doing 50mph in a 35mph zone, he wasn’t paying attention to what he was doing, he totals a taxpayer-owned county vehicle, and he doesn’t get charged with anything? In NC, being convicted of 15+ miles over the speed limit can mean suspension of your driver’s license. But this officer walks scott free. What if he had killed somebody? Would it still call for “inattention” as an excuse? What good is the Highway Control if they refuse to write tickets to ALL law breakers..law enforcement included? I smell a rat coming out of the good ol’ boys club. 2010 is an election year, and Sam Page has to run to keep his job. I’ll vote for the town drunk before I will vote for him and his cronies. ANyone want to bet how long it takes Sammy to run to the commissioners and beg for a new car to replace the one wrecked by MAJOR Thomas. Major mess I think.
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