News
News

Wreck kills NE Georgia deputy, son of sheriff

By
May 22, 2014

An on-duty Franklin County sheriff’s deputy was killed in a wreck late Wednesday, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

The crash occurred around 9 p.m. as Deputy Steven LaCruz “Cruz” Thomas was driving northbound on I-85, attempting to catch up to a traffic violator, a spokesman for the GSP said early this morning.

“An unknown tractor-trailer attempted to change lanes, causing the patrol car to travel into the grass median,” GSP said in an emailed statement. “The driver, Deputy Cruz Thomas, lost control of the vehicle, traveled across both northbound lanes of I-85 and began to overturn. The vehicle then hit several trees.”

Thomas, identified by AccessNorthGa.com as the son of Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas, died at the scene of the wreck, according to investigators. He was part time with Franklin County and a full time deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

Thomas, 26, was a father and attended Franklin County High School and North Georgia Technical College, according to his Facebook page. Many of the deputy’s Facebook friends had changed their profile pictures early this morning to a black police badge with the words “R.I.P Cruz” in white letters.

Franklin County is located about 85 miles northeast of Atlanta.

— Please return to ajc.com for updates.

About the Author

Alexis Stevens is a member of the Crime and Public Safety team.

Follow Alexis Stevens on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Darius Robinson was relieved of coaching duties after his arrest, the Greene County School District said. (Courtesy of Greene County Schools)

Credit: Greene County schools

Georgia high school coach choked player, put another in headlock, warrants say

The Greene County High coach was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of simple battery, according to investigators.

Georgia Power, PSC staff strike deal for $16B expansion to power data centers

Georgia Power and the Public Service Commission’s staff unveiled a deal that would allow the utility to build huge amounts of new power plants, mostly to serve data centers.

Warnock renews push for enhanced job training with bipartisan bill

Employers that come to Georgia “are having a hard time finding workers with the education they need,” U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock said in a written statement.

The Latest

Darius Robinson was relieved of coaching duties after his arrest, the Greene County School District said. (Courtesy of Greene County Schools)

Credit: Greene County schools

Georgia high school coach choked player, put another in headlock, warrants say

Sweet Tea: Use your time wisely

A.M. ATL: It’s actually happening

Featured

Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools

Waymo cars ignored stopped school buses in Atlanta. What happens now?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation. The autonomous vehicle company has issued a software recall.

Search for new MARTA chief hits snag

The search for a new leader for the regional transit authority is widely seen as one of the most important duties facing the Marta Board

Georgia high school coach choked player, put another in headlock, warrants say

The Greene County High coach was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of simple battery, according to investigators.