Spalding deputy suffers spinal break after patrol car was hit by hydroplaning SUV
A Spalding County deputy remains hospitalized after his patrol car was struck by a hydroplaning SUV on Tuesday, authorities said.
Deputy Matthew Everett, 40, suffered a broken vertebrae, a broken leg and a gash on his head that required nearly three dozen stitches, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
The crash took place about 6:50 a.m. along Zebulon Road near Deer Lake Drive, which is near the Pike-Spalding county line, according to the Georgia State Patrol. Everett was returning home at the time of the crash, spokesman Maj. Dwayne Jones said.
The sheriff’s office added that Everett’s dashboard camera captured the entire incident, showing he was not the at-fault driver. The video, which was not released, showed the driver of the Ford Explorer hydroplaning, spinning out of control and crossing into Everett’s lane, the release said.
The GSP, which is investigating the crash, said the SUV’s driver, John Desnoyer, 57, of Thomaston, told troopers he was driving about 65 mph when he hit a puddle.
“Deputy Everett did all he could do to avoid the crash, and his actions possibly saved his life and the life of the other driver,” the sheriff’s office release said.
Desnoyer suffered minor injuries and was cited for driving too fast for conditions and failure to maintain lane, the sheriff’s office said.
Everett’s K-9, Gracie, was also in his patrol car at the time but was not hurt.
Pike County deputies, firefighters and GSP troopers responded to the scene. Everett was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he remained Wednesday.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no one, including Everett's wife, has been allowed to see him, according to the release.
“I spoke to Matthew’s wife Kristy this morning, and she said that he is in a lot of pain, and doctors are having a difficult time getting it under control,” Sheriff Darrell Dix said in the release. “She wanted me to pass on to everyone that they are thankful for the prayers and support from our community.”
Update on Deputy Matthew Everett
Posted by Spalding County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, July 8, 2020
The GSP’s investigation is ongoing.
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Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives.
