Thrown object causes serious accident, two injured

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Damage caused by thrown steel

Scott Albritton’s Honda vehicle sustained serious damage after he lost control and crashed last Thursday night, July 5.
Albritton was hit in the head by a piece of steel rebar thrown from another automobile. He is in serious condition.
Photo by Al Summers

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A one-car motor vehicle involving an off-duty Gilmer County sheriff’s deputy has led to an investigation and arrest of three individuals who face multiple charges.

Tommy Banks, 19, was arrested Monday afternoon, July 9, and Jacob Tyler Griggs, 22, was arrested Tuesday, July 10, in connection with the incident.

A juvenile was also arrested Tuesday and is expected to be charged with influencing a witness and battery. All three are from Ellijay.

Banks and Griggs are each facing charges of two counts of aggravated battery and aggravated assault.

Deputy Scott Albritton and his wife were travelling near R & A Orchards on Hwy. 52, east of Ellijay last Thursday, July 5, when an object struck their vehicle, hitting the driver in the head and causing him to lose control of his vehicle and crash.

Albritton was flown to Atlanta Medical Center by a life flight helicopter. At press deadline Tuesday, he was in the intensive care unit in serious but stable condition. His wife was taken to North Georgia Medical Center where she was treated and released.

Between Friday, July 6, and Monday, July 9, the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office received information that the accident may have been caused by occupants in another vehicle. A vehicle had been seen in the area of the crash just before it occurred.

During the investigation of the crash, a piece of steel rod, or rebar, was discovered in the back seat of the Albrittons’ vehicle and a hole was discovered in the windshield on the driver’s side of the automobile.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Special Agent Dustin Hamby joined Det. Todd Smith and Dep. Leon Davenport in gathering evidence and procuring warrants to make the arrests.

Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson told the Times-Courier, “Anytime something like this happens it is a sad occasion. This is especially hard because Dep. Albritton is a fellow law enforcement officer and public servant. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Albritton family.”

The sheriff continued, “I would like to commend Special Agent Hamby, Det. Smith, and Dep. Davenport for their hard work and attention to detail in being able to solve this case. We hope this is the last of this kind of activity we will see in our county.”

A fund has been set up for the Albritton family at United Community Bank to assist with medical bills.