A Jackson County sheriff's deputy was injured Monday after his propane-fueled vehicle exploded while he was responding to a call.
Around 6:30 a.m. JCSO Deputy Gary Cox was responding to a call at Hwy. 82 North of Jefferson. As he lit a cigarette, the vehicle burst into flames. He jumped from the vehicle while it was traveling around 50 miles per hour, officials said.
The deputy had some first-degree burns on his face and was treated and released at Athens Regional Medical Center.
All other propane-fueled deputy cars have been grounded pending the results of an investigation.
Officials from New York firm that markets propane-fueled vehicles will inspect the car in the coming days, JCSD leaders said.
Second - why is it ok to smoke while driving and responding to a call.
I hate the officer was injured, but this sounds like a policy issue and something that could have been completely prevented in the first place with proper oversight.
I'll tell you something else you may not have known. f you are on the clock and you are driving your own personal car and you have a wreck your boss IS still responsible for your car and IF you get hurt workers comp. has to pay your medical bills BECAUSE you are on the clock and getting paid when you wrecked.
I think I was fair. No one should be smoking in a police car. Duh. Actually, if you read my posts I suggested suing the propane company because a cigarrette should not start this type of fire. I also think marijuana should be legal but not necessarily when the police are driving the taxpayers' car.
NOW WE are loosing out, because this guy burst one of our cars in flames. sorry it happened, but shouldn't be a smoker anyways. how would you feel when a criminal gets away because the officer had to stop becuase of a smokers cough, or in this case now, becuase his car was gutted in a fire.
The police officer has every right to smoke if he wants to!
If he saved your life from a criminal or murderer and lit a cig, would you complain then?
NO so shut up and find someone else to cry about!
The issue has nothing to do with a cigarette, the issue has to do with propane leaking from the line or tank that has caused a patrol car to burst into flames.
Personally, on the cigarette issue, its America, its legal to smoke one and I like people using and exercising there Constitutional rights. way to go deputy, and goodluck with a swift recovery.
For those of you who love to do spell check, I did one just for you so that you can complain about it for months as you normally do. Note the word "higher" in my letter. I know the word is "hire". That is what happens when you work all night and do CPR while smoking a cigarette. Just keeping those spell checkers on their toes.
While checking out the site, check out all of the other departments that are using the same vehicles...Jefferson, Commerce, and several other local departments. Do their officers smoke in the vehicles? should these all be checked out for possible leaks?
What if he hadn't lit the cigarette and the propane had built up then he pulled up to the call where there was alot of people and someone else lit a cigarette or something else made a spark and caused the explosion There could have been more people hurt or even killed because of this? Just be thankful the officer wasn't hurt nomore than he was?
Some of you people should not be allowed to procreate!
deputy from Banks county???
Were the Dukes of Hazard county around??
Does Boss Hog know about this??
News report,,,,,,Smoking deputy...but no smoking gun...
Did the other deputy check out thir cars,,,I have some matches.
Does this deputy know that smoking can get you killed??
BUT the update to this story said the car was tampered with.
Sure leaving the cars at the jail may save a few dollars, but it does increase response time. Also, imagine if a bunch of those cars parked at the jail leaked and an explosion happened. That would set off a chain reaction that would cause lots of damage and many innocent people could get seriously injured. Driving the patrol cars to the domicile helps serve as a deterrent to crime, as is creates a "show of force."
Is there a no smoking policy in effect for county owned and operated vehicles in Jackson County? If so, this officer ignored the policy and should be help partially responsible for the damage as he contributed ot the situation. If there is no such policy in effect, then he did othing wrong.
We need not go on a witch hunt here, just investigate and find the causes of the accident from wherever the evidence leads us.
Wake up people, if you want smaller government and lower taxes it starts right here at home, not in Washington D.C.
This isn't about smoking this is about propane leaking in your Goverment car? So it's your fault he got hurt? You need to do better or someone is going to get killed in your cars?
I don't know why I waste my time on you. It's a real challenge getting through your thick skull.
And by the way you talk if an officer gets shot with a Smith and Wesson hand gun would it be Smith and Wessons fault? They made the gun and the officer also had a gun. If the officer hadn't been there he wouldn't have gotten shot? This story has nothing to do with smoking IT HAS TO DO WITH A LEAKING PROPANE SYSTEM. Ok let me ask you this if another one explodes and lets say that officer don't smoke what excuse are YALL going to use to blame that one on the officer too?