Clayton sheriff rear-ends retired couple

But the sheriff was a good sport about the incident, said Wes Weiner, whose Mercedes CLK coupe was hit by Kimbrough’s unmarked county car.

“He was very professional and courteous, and he must have apologized at least five or six times,” Weiner told the AJC. “He immediately asked if we were OK.”

No one was injured.

Just before lunchtime on Sept. 30, the sheriff and Weiner were driving westbound on American Legion Way, both intending to turn right onto Tara, according to a Georgia State Troopers traffic report.

“We were merging,” Weiner said.

“I saw him pull off,” Kimbrough said.

“We were waiting for traffic to clear,” Weiner said.

“I looked to my left waiting my opening to come in the traffic,” Kimbrough said.

“It hit us kind of hard,” Weiner said. “He must’ve been speeding up to get into traffic.”

“As it turns out, he had pulled into the acceleration lane,” Kimbrough said of Weiner. “When I went to pull into traffic, lo and behold, Mr. Weiner was there.”

Weiner, of course, was grateful he and his wife, Ida, weren’t harmed. And he was impressed by how much attention Kimbrough paid to them.

Beyond that, however, Weiner lamented the $5,700 in damage done to his car.

“After eight years of immaculate condition … the rear end has got to be rebuilt,” he said. “And it’s going to need a new trunk and bumper.”

Kimbrough spent time chatting with the Weiners as sheriff’s deputies, state troopers and Clayton police patrol cars with a half dozen sets of blue lights cordoned off the area.

“I was a little embarrassed by all the lights,” Weiner said.

But as they talked, Kimbrough learned the couple, retired and in their mid-50s, had more than 50 years of service between them in the U.S. Armed services.

And he compared notes about his career in law enforcement with their military tenures.

Weiner said the car is being repaired and he is waiting for Clayton County’s risk management department to pay for the damages and help with a rental car.

“I know the sheriff has tried to help the process along as much as he can,” Weiner said. “It’s just frustrating.”

When the couple asked why Kimbrough didn’t have a driver – not poking fun, but noting that many law enforcement heads do – he told them he was just an ordinary guy.

“I would rather have my officers out doing what they need to do,” he said.

The Weiners have postponed a trip to visit friends in Phoenix – they were going to the airport when the accident happened, and await the completion of repairs to the Mercedes.

Kimbrough awaits the arrival of the vaunted “Crash Award” onto his desk.

“I’ve had it before,” he said. “I’ll just wait for it to be moved on to the next officer.”