A Fayette County Sheriff’s deputy involved in a June 21 collision with a vehicle at Ga. Highway 314 and White Oak Way in Fayetteville while responding to a report of a possible shooting was found by state and county traffic investigators to be at fault in the causing the accident.
Ga. State Patrol Senior Trooper R.M. Collins in his report said the marked patrol vehicle operated by Deputy Clint Patton was traveling east on White Oak Way en route to an emergency call and had its emergency lights and siren activated. Patton was traveling at a high rate of speed and, upon approaching the intersection with Hwy. 314, attempted to turn north as the Ford Explorer driven by Gerald Sudduth was traveling south on Hwy. 314, Collins said.
The deputy failed to stop at a posted stop sign and failed to yield to the oncoming vehicle, Collins said. The Explorer with its front end struck the front left side of the patrol vehicle as it entered the intersection, the report said. The Explorer prior to the collision skidded 75 feet, Collins added.
Collins’ report noted that the patrol vehicle’s onboard video system was activated and had recorded the collision.
A July 27 review by the sheriff’s Vehicle Collision Review Board determined that the collision was preventable and recommended that Patton be suspended from duty for 16 hours.
Injured and requiring hospitalization as a result of the two-car collision were Fayetteville residents Gerald and Linda Sudduth, occupants of the Ford Explorer.
Gerald Sudduth suffered a number of injuries and was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital. Linda Sudduth was also suffered a number of injuries and was transported to Atlanta Medical Center.
Dep. Patton was also injured and was transported to Atlanta Medical Center.
Reports also noted that both vehicles suffered extensive damage.
