Jefferson students cited following accident

Wednesday, September 28. 2011

Several Jefferson High School students were involved in a wreck on Saturday night, Sept. 17, according to the Georgia State Patrol which released its report Monday.

Two of the students had been involved in a “physical domestic dispute” at the Race Trac gas station at around 11 p.m., according to the Jefferson Police Department. When officers responded, the vehicle left the gas station and traveled down Hog Mountain Road and refused to stop for the JPD, which had given chase.

Due to the speed, JPD officers backed off of the chase, but saw the vehicle wreck on Storey Lane.

A white male was observed leaving the vehicle and fleeing into the woods. JPD officers called for an ambulance when one of the females in the car complained of leg pain.

The GSP worked the wreck and reported that John Givens, 17, Jefferson, lost control of a Ford Expedition as he was traveling north on Hog Mountain Road. The vehicle traveled off the north shoulder of Storey Lane, struck a ditch and a fence and came to rest on the north shoulder of Storey Lane.

Givens received citations for failure to maintain lane and hit and run leaving the scene of an accident.

Three female passengers in the vehicle, including Haley Coberly, 17, Jefferson, and two juveniles, were cited for underage possession of alcohol. One juvenile was transported to Athens Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

A fifth juvenile passenger in the Expedition was not cited.

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#1 Sounds kinda crazy to me on 09/28/11 at 11:33 AM [Reply]

Seems to me that these kids might be children of some higher ups in the city of Jefferson or Jackson County.........What person gets a citation for eluding the police, running from the scene of an accident & hit & run?? I know if it were me or my children we would have been arrested.

#1.1 Ken Johnson on 10/01/11 at 09:43 AM [Reply]

To the first person commenting, Fleeing and atempting to elude always goes to jail. All were traffic offenses, therefore they all go on citations. If a Trooper worked the crash, then the paper likely left out a few charges on the driver. I don't think the Trooper would care who his parents were and being 17 years old, he is considered an adult and would not be able to call them until after he was booked. He too would be charged with under-age consumption of alcoholic beverage and probably reckless driving because he had passengers who were endangerered.
I don't think Jefferson High School is making an example of him. It's just an appropriate response to inappropriate actions. When he reaches the college level is when he will be honored for such conduct.
Sergeant Gwinnett County Police (Retired)

#2 petey on 09/28/11 at 12:03 PM [Reply]

I just hope they are athletes that represent Jefferson High School...

#2.1 Please! on 09/28/11 at 02:26 PM [Reply]

What does it matter if they were athletes or not? Either way they were doing things that they shouldn't have been doing. I was an athlete when I attended Jefferson, and that didn't make me any better than the non athletes in the school.

#2.2 B Booger on 09/30/11 at 11:56 PM [Reply]

This is in response to the "I hope they are athletes that represent Jefferson High School". I'm not about to waste my time arguing on this subject, but I will say, you are wrong for saying that. Although some of these kids wear JHS uniforms, they do not represent the majority of athletes at JHS. I am JHS Alumni and very proud of it, that is why my children attend Jefferson City Schools. Many of these athletes you seem to have a problem with, are very good kids, who do have morals and values, and strive to excel both in the classroom and on the ball fields or gym. The kids in question represent only a small portion of the kids at JHS, and definitely not the majority. In fact, the majority of parents and students alike, have frowned upon this situation, and are very disappointed & embarrassed in their behavior representing JHS. Their behavior does not need to go unpunished, and punishment should be severe, they do not fully realize the repercussions that COULD have come from their actions - and yes, these kids do very much know right from wrong. As with any school, you always have this "handful" of kids that strive to be the "bad apples" - but truly, I feel the majority of the blame goes back to the parents. Where and how did they get the alcohol to begin with? Somebody had to get it for them - that person needs to be charged as well. When parents do not discipline, and allow their sons and daughters to run around like a bunch of hoodlums, this is the result. Yes, some of these have been involved in other incidents involving destroying property - and when caught, they have laughed and said, Not a big deal, I have money to pay for it - and what life lessons have we really taught them when Mom and Dad pay for it, and the kids are not held responsible? These kids need to be held accountable for their actions, and need to understand how truly lucky they are that nobody was seriously hurt. The parents that allow their children to behave like a bunch of idiots need to be held accountable as well. Maybe then, parents will be a litte more attentive to what their kid is doing and who their kid is with.

#3 Surprised?? No! on 09/28/11 at 01:02 PM [Reply]

There is so much partying and illegal activity that goes on by Jefferson High School students, it's not even funny. Most of their parents are perfectly aware of this behavior. And yes a good portion of them are athletes, or come from families with money, so they get away with murder!! Everyone should just be thankful that nobody was killed in this accident, and maybe this opened the eyes of some parents and administrators!

#3.1 Martin on 09/28/11 at 01:48 PM [Reply]

You act as if you forgot what it was like when you were a teen. As if YOU or anyone else making stupid comments didn't do ANYTHING the least bit wrong when you were 17. Give me a break. "surprised" I think you are overexagerating about getting away with murder. Let's not be too melodramatic. Leaving the scene of an accident and homicide are TWO TOTALLY different things. Why such a chip on your shoulder about Jefferson High School students.

#3.1.1 Surprised??No! on 09/28/11 at 03:58 PM [Reply]

"Getting away with murder" is a figure of speech, not meant to be taken literally. No, I was not perfect when I was 17, but I certainly never ran from the police, nor did I ever have a reason to. If you don't see anything wrong with this then that is a problem. No chip on my shoulder, just an observation.

#3.1.1.1 Martin on 09/28/11 at 04:05 PM [Reply]

I understand figures of speech. Point being there are better figures of speech to use. No one was hurt, no one was killed- kids do stupid things. I do have a problem with people running from the police. What he did was stupid. There was a warrent taken out for his arrest b/c he left the scene of an accident. The charges/citations they received had nothing to do with their parents or the money they may or may not have. That's the only point I was trying to make.

#3.2 Parent on 09/29/11 at 02:31 PM [Reply]

Wow! Certainly sounds like you have a major chip on your shoulder. I wonder what your definition is of families "with money" Evidently you are insinuating they must have "payed someone off" Get real!!!

#4 Grow Up! on 09/28/11 at 02:07 PM [Reply]

You act like a spoiled little kid so envious of Jefferson. Grow up and quit complaining!

#5 shakingmyhead on 09/28/11 at 05:53 PM [Reply]

We ALL did crazy things when we were kids. You're lying if you say you didn't. Fortunately, they weren't the top story on a local newspage. THAT is what is sad. But this is what is typical, I guess, in a small town. Lotsa gossip. What in the world would y'all do if you couldn't gossip??

#5.1 Mike Buffington, Editor on 09/28/11 at 06:58 PM [Reply]

This was a news story based on police reports. The wreck happened on a public road. Charges were made against several people. That isn't "gossip," that's news . There is a difference. Look it up.

#5.1.1 make it my business on 10/01/11 at 08:52 AM [Reply]

i am a proud alumini of jefferson high school and why are people judging. i love JHS and some of you need to get a life and quit printing all this negative BS.

#6 shakingmyhead on 09/28/11 at 07:48 PM [Reply]

The story itself is not gossip - although I find it embarrasing for the news outlet that this their top story. The gossip is all these people that are commenting and speculating how the teenagers are children of "higher ups" and how they are the athletes, and how much partying and illegal activity Jefferson High students participate in. Give me a break. This kind of activity goes on at every high school. This the epitomy of gossip!

#6.1 gracie on 09/28/11 at 09:02 PM [Reply]

No this is not top story. And this is what is really top story and embarrasing when other counties have breaking news this county has volleyball, football. and baseball that leaves us to read other counties breaking news about jackson co. Bet other counties knew this gossip before we did.

#6.1.1 mike bufdington, editor on 09/28/11 at 09:33 PM [Reply]

No, this is the only place you will read this. The police report wasn't released until Monday.o

#7 just glad they were dealt with on 09/28/11 at 09:23 PM [Reply]

looks like the jefferson high school football team member and little cheerleaders got away with nothing. They are a disgrace. Looks like he couldnt run that far. Its about time these little children who think they are grown got put in their place. Mom and dads will now have to pay for their damages as usual. Partying or whatever anyone wants to call it I am glad no one was hurt but also glad they got their butts handed to them. Kick the boy off the team was a good call. I feel bad for NONE OF THEM!!!!!

#8 behonest on 09/29/11 at 05:06 AM [Reply]

Jefferson is not perfect. Why can't we just fess up and admit that some kids here do get away with murder from K-12th grade? Especially teacher/administrators kids and athletes?

#9 Dewey on 09/29/11 at 05:11 AM [Reply]

At least Givens was the designated driver.....I mean, certainly they tested his blood alcohol.....right?

#9.1 jefferson parent on 09/29/11 at 08:13 PM [Reply]

Hard to test anything when you run and hide for a couple of days...

#10 equal on 09/29/11 at 07:22 AM [Reply]

I'm glad that Mike actually decided to write something about Jefferson and how it's not perfect. Usually it's all about glorifying Jefferson and saying how awful all the other schools are. Good Job!

#11 Get a Clue on 09/29/11 at 08:28 AM [Reply]

I wish this town would get a clue! When did they test Givens, did he not flee the scene of the accident?

#12 LOL- really? on 09/29/11 at 09:23 AM [Reply]

This isn't about Jefferson vs. Jackson. It's about kids making bad choices. Anyone who thinks that it's "not a big deal" because no one was hurt or killed is deluding themselves.

#13 Parent on 09/29/11 at 12:38 PM [Reply]

It is amazing all of the negative comments regarding Jefferson Athletes, Administrators, Teachers, Parents, Higher-Ups, Jefferson City Schools......This is about a car full of teens making wrong choices. That car full of teens does not represent the population of Jefferson City Schools. There are MANY parents out there who MAKE the right choices and DON'T promote this type of behavior. Teenagers get in trouble at every school. It is our job as parents to do all we can to steer them in the right direction. Bashing a whole school system for what one car full of kids did is wrong. Sounds like someone has a chip on their shoulder.

#14 Parent2 on 09/29/11 at 01:46 PM [Reply]

The kids in the car were all great kids, yes they made a mistake. However is the punishment right? This was the first time they made a mistake. These kids are well known around Jefferson and have a good background. So should they really be kicked off the athletic programs? Some of these kids are depending on a athletic scholarship and know they have nothing. This reminds me of another case last year about the boy that got a D.U.I. and was not punished at all. Are these kids being punished because of this teens mistakes from last year? Any way most kids drink and party and if your child tells you they don't there is a good chance they are lying. If anything this arguement should be directed to JPD. This wreck was the night of Jefferson's homecoming. When I dropped my daughter and her friends off at the dance I noticed the 3 or 4 police at the door. I feel as if they play a small part if the kids are drinking during this highschool function. As police they should be able to notice if a kid has been drinking before or during the dance. Just a thought.

#14.1 Anonymous on 09/29/11 at 04:08 PM [Reply]

Consequences are a b*tch. Haven't heard any mention of "punishment". My bet is these kids will "lawyer up" and get a slap on the wrist. Damn shame. Next time someone might get killed.

#14.2 just glad they were dealt with on 09/29/11 at 07:13 PM [Reply]

thats right pass blame on jpd. gsp and every other liason that has to babysit your child because the kids wanted to drink and drive and play grown up. Yes punishment fits the crime All of THEM deserve what they get..If they loose the scholarship because of it then so be it. I am grateful they were not killed or kill someone else for their so called " BAD DECISION" as u so called parents call it. The apple does not fall far from the tree is what I think..

#15 amazed on 09/29/11 at 02:53 PM [Reply]

I beg to differ, This is NOT the first time some of those kids have been in trouble. At least one of them has been arrested at least once before and NOT that long ago. All kids make mistakes, they should be given the opportunity to LEARN from their mistakes. How can they learn from their mistakes if they are not giving consequences? And did you seriously just blame the police for teens drinking? At least one of these kids tried to outrun the police, wrecked a car that didn't belong to him, destroyed a fence that belonged to someone else then bailed out of the car and ran leaving injured friends behind with no thought to them what so ever AND you people are crying because he might not get to play football? Boo Hoo get over it! What if one of those kids in the car had died? Would you still think he should be back on the field Friday night? If that were my child his rear end would be too sore to get into a pair of football pants and I bet he would be too dang tired after fixing that fence and working on that car to even consider walking onto the field. But no lets rally around him and pity him so he gets no punishment and learns nothing.

#15.1 B Booger on 10/01/11 at 12:16 AM [Reply]

Very well said Amazed, I totally agree. I will also say that this is NOT the first time they have been in trouble, but I am also not saying they are BAD kids. Children learn as they are taught, and what I am saying is that when we don't teach them, then they haven't learned anything, and behavior keeps repeating itself. Make the punishment fit the crime, and yes, it does need to be severe punishment. But TEACH them, don't BEAT THEM DOWN with it either. AGAIN, WHERE ARE THE PARENTS? This is learned behavior. Many of you folks that are not originally from here don't remember, and I'm not calling names, but the cheerleader who, in the late 70's was paralyzed from the waist down from a car wreck and never walked again, and her boyfriend who nearly died in the accident (although this accident WAS NOT the result of bad behavior), or the kids who were killed in the early 80's? The point I am trying to make is that many of you have never had to attend a funeral of a classmate, much less two funerals, back to back, of 2 classmates - it's not easy. I am so thankful these kids were not hurt, but TEACH them to learn from their mistakes so that this does not happen again and next time somebody actually have to lose their life.

#16 Jackson County Resident on 09/29/11 at 03:40 PM [Reply]

Very well said amazed. Teach responsibility. Not excuses.

#16.1 Carrie Oakie on 09/30/11 at 09:12 AM [Reply]

This is absolutely nobody's business accept for those who were involved. People need to be careful what they say and do. An adult has NO right to talk about the kids that were in the accident or that played a part. Ya'll aren't in high school anymore. People need to be proud of where they come from and if they aren't then they need to just stay quiet and not diss on the school and ruin it for those who actually DO NOT drink or do "illegal activity". Everyone is saying that is all that the students at Jefferson High School do, and it's NOT. There are some students at JEfferson that actually do what they're told and don't get themselves into trouble. Just because of this ONE accident, Jefferson shouldn't be disowned by people that have "attended" Jefferson and "was and athlete."

#17 Jeffersonike on 09/30/11 at 11:05 PM [Reply]

This isn't between any of you people. The school shouldn't use him as a "example" to show Jefferson punishes their kids rightly. His punishment isn't fair given the circumstances and charges. And for "surprised", Jefferson has the most prestigious public school around. Look at SAT scores, overall athletics, you name it. So they must be doing something right all the time at Jefferson. I know about the accident very well, and it's not as bad as it seems. The administrators are punishing him this way because of all the ridicule they would get from the other surrounding schools. JEALOUSY is the word that would fit well here. So no one has any right to bash Jefferson or the kids going there or the people involved. Grow up yourselfs

#17.1 misinformation? on 09/30/11 at 11:14 PM [Reply]

Wasn't he already on probation though?

#18 No on 09/30/11 at 11:38 PM [Reply]

His previous, minor, probation will not affect his case at all. He's a good kid.

#18.1 if it were my kid... on 10/01/11 at 05:31 AM [Reply]

Good kids don't elude police officers.

Good kids don't fraternize with minors who possess alcohol.

Good kids don't leave the scene of the accident.

Apparently his parents were more concerned with him learning passing routes than social mores. That's the real problem here.

#19 Get over yourself. on 10/01/11 at 11:44 AM [Reply]

seriously? can you people get over yourself? Us Jefferson students arent "party animals" yeah we like to have a good time and yes, these students did make a bad decision to drink and drive but im sure their parents had no clue cause i know all the people in the car very well and their parents would not approve of what they were doing at all. yes they all got in lots of trouble when they did get home but these students are not the only people that go to jefferson high school. there are others that go there and that represent jefferson as well. im sure your kids arent perfect either just wait they will show you their not as perfect as you make your little "mamas babies" out to be. were teenagers were not perfect get over it. how will we ever learn if we dont find out for ourselves, and lay off givens. he got what he deserved thats the end of it. im a proud student of Jefferson High School. the parents of the students that were in the car are all responsible parents, if they would have known what they were planning on doing that night they wouldnt have let them out of the house. but things happen for a reason, they will learn from this mistake they made. so can all of you "adults" grow up and get out of the drama. yall are ridiculous.

#19.1 Booklady on 10/01/11 at 12:48 PM [Reply]

Wow! Someone missed the grammar and punctuation memo!

#20 Parent of juvenile on 10/01/11 at 05:18 PM [Reply]

It amazes me how misinformed people still comment on something they don't have all the facts about. The two juveniles that were charged were not given a breathalyzer they were cited 4 days after the wreck. Trooper Claxton said this was based solely on his assumption. The drivers father has been very remorseful and apologetic and has assumed all responsibility financially. No the driver did not get a DUI he fled from the scene therefore he could not be tested. Fifth passenger didn't get cited bc he too ran from the scene. There were a lot of bad decisions made that night but some good also. The two juveniles had called for a ride when they were at the gas station. They were trying to take themselves out of a bad situation. They were waiting in the car when the driver decide to speed away with the police pulling into the station. As for those two young ladies, they were begging n pleading for him to stop the car because they were fearful of wrecking. I as a parent of one of those juveniles am angry wanted to see him suspended from a few games and hold them all accountable for their choices they made that night. We are all very lucky 5 kids weren't killed that night. As for all the bashers, I hope your children continue to be perfect and don't make any bad choices. As for me and mine, i can only hope and pray she won't make the same mistakes as her parents and peers, but if she does I will continue to be there for her, guide her and support her and hope she learns from her mistakes. I'm also not the type of parent that tolerates alcohol or provides it. Nor do I pretend that because I say not to do something then it won't be done. Also, excuse any grammar or punctuation mistakes, that wasn't top priority.

#20.1 parent on 10/03/11 at 10:17 AM [Reply]

Very well said. Maybe they learned their lesson early and will never get in trouble again. I hope the best for all 5. You accept your consequences and move on. They are way too young to be written off now.

#21 Annoyed on 10/01/11 at 05:25 PM [Reply]

People just need to drop this and move on. It is done nothing can be done about it now

#21.1 snoopy on 10/01/11 at 10:50 PM [Reply]

O.K lets move on. Enough said on this matter.To many scores, football photos, mistakes in sports in this city to keep on about this.

#22 Parent on 10/01/11 at 06:37 PM [Reply]

All I want to know is how many of these children's parents are school employees?

#22.1 parent of juvenile on 10/01/11 at 07:18 PM [Reply]

None are!!

#23 parent on 10/02/11 at 05:08 PM [Reply]

What does this have to do with school employees? Again, sounds like someone has a chip on their shoulder. It is amazing how everyone is blaming everybody for a mistake that any child might could make at some point. Be careful when you start judging others. You never know what your child or my child or any body else's child might do.

#24 Student on 10/02/11 at 05:28 PM [Reply]

Im a student at JHS. If you asked students my name, they probably wouldnt know it. im not involved with sports,i dont know any of the kids involved, and i have no relation to any faculty member, i just wanted to say that it makes me angry that it has been mostly ADULTS commenting on this and not letting it go. Things like this happen all over the place.

#25 big j on 10/03/11 at 01:41 AM [Reply]

hey jc parents mad cuz JHS will destroy them on the field the 21st :)

#26 Grandma Mozell on 10/04/11 at 09:51 AM [Reply]

I wouldn't touch this with a ten foot pole.

#27 secondchances on 10/05/11 at 11:18 PM [Reply]

Can this student somehow save his sports career? Can he switch schools and start over?

#27.1 sportsmom5 on 10/10/11 at 11:44 AM [Reply]

I think it is possible for them to transfer to a private school, if they want to continue to play sports.

#28 Root of the problem on 10/07/11 at 11:09 AM [Reply]

The root of the problem is that you have a parent buying kids alcohol. Punish the kid with 3 weeks off and pay a visit to the parent that purchased the booze, this visit would help the community more than slamming the door on a kid that made a big mistake.
UGA lost a key player for two games for doing 92mph DUI and having an underaged drunk female with him.
Just saying..........

#29 Joe Christmas on 10/07/11 at 01:08 PM [Reply]

Georgia just lost a key player for two games for doing 92 mph and having an underaged drunk female with him... You make it sound like the only important part of this story is Georgia's football team losing a player for a few games. Driving 92 mph while drunk is very serious. What if he had crashed killing all four people in the car? What if he had killed some poor guy minding his own business. Georgia's football team (which isn't too hot this year anyway) is the least important part of that story.

#30 Student2 on 10/07/11 at 02:07 PM [Reply]

I am also a student at Jefferson High School. I am involved with the sports at the school and would like to point out that many students who do wrong are punished. Many of you are commenting on how the parents of the student must be part of the faculty or play a role in the local society. As far as I know, none of these kids parents are any part of the society. Whether the parents were part or not, this student will be punished. on what scale he is punished, is none of ya'lls business. He is sorry and regrets his actions and there is nothing that can be done about it now. May i point out that there is a student who has graduated who was always involved with alcohol and his parents were part of the society and yet he got away with it. On the other hand, I know of a student or two that has gotten involved with that kind of stuff and thy both have been punished sverly just because their parent(s) are part of the society. So, pople need too butt out and "not say anything unless they've got something nice to say." That is what all you parents hav told us, students, isnt it?? :D

#31 root of the problem on 10/07/11 at 02:58 PM [Reply]

Just thought someone might want to get to the root of the problem.
I'm glad all were ok. Good luck to them and I hope they learned a lesson.
I bet there is an adult somewhere sweating bullets.:(

#32 otheroptions on 10/07/11 at 03:04 PM [Reply]

Can college coaches still recruit this student? Surely he still has options?

#33 Concerned parent on 10/10/11 at 05:06 PM [Reply]

Is anything being done to the parent who purchased the alcohol?

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