Spalding County Sheriff Dee Stewart was in critical condition Thursday after his vehicle was struck by another one driven by his grandson.
Sheriff's spokesman Capt. Tony Ranieri said the accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. when Stewart, driving his county-issued patrol pickup truck, pulled out of Moose Lodge Road onto Highway 1941 in Griffin.
Stewart goes on patrol after lunch, according to a report by Channel 2 Action News. He was on his normal patrol when he pulled out in front of his grandson, Spalding Sheriff's Deputy Chad Gasaway, who was driving north on Highway 1941. Gasaway, driving in his personal vehicle, struck the sheriff's vehicle, according to the spokesman.
The impact of the crash knocked Stewart's truck into nearby woods.
The sheriff was flown with critical injuries to Atlanta Medical Center, according to Channel 2 Action News.
The grandson, who is in his mid-20s, had minor injuries. He was off-duty at the time of the accident.
The Georgia State Patrol is investigating.
Stewart, who has spent nearly 40 years in law enforcement, was re-elected to another four-year term as sheriff in 2008. Before being elected sheriff, he was a member of the Griffin police force.
During the campaign in 2008, Stewart said he would target illegal drugs and wanted the sheriff's department to be more community oriented. After being re-elected, he told the Griffin Daily News he looked forward to "just being here for the public. I’m here for every person in the world. I don’t make any bones about it. I’ll do anything I can for everyone.”
About the Author
