The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has arrested four people since last Wednesday on traffic offenses, including two for DUI.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says 35 year old Thomas Chadwick Reed of Crown Hill Drive, Murfreesboro was charged Wednesday, June 24th with a second offense of driving under the influence after deputies found him in his vehicle and in an intoxicated state at the Cove Hollow Marina. Reed admitted to driving and consuming beer and mixed drinks. Deputies also noticed an odor of alcohol on Reed’s person and he was unsteady of his feet. Reed submitted to field sobriety tasks which he failed. Two whiskey bottles were found in Reed’s vehicle, one contained a very small amount and the other one was empty. There was one mixed drink in the car. Reed’s bond was set at $3,000 and he will appear in court on July 23rd.
42 year old William Hardie Morris of Old Snow Hill Road, was arrested on Friday, June 26th for a first offense of driving under the influence and a third offense of driving on a revoked driver’s license. Morris was involved in an accident on Holmes Creek Road and when deputies arrived they found him in an intoxicated state. Morris was unsteady on his feet, had slurred speech and he also had an odor of alcohol on his person. Morris’ license were found to have been revoked on November 9th, 2002 in DeKalb County and December 14th, 2000 in Putnam County. Bond for Morris was set at $4,500 and he will appear in court on July 23rd.
Also on Friday, a deputy, while on patrol on Short Mountain Highway, spotted 20 year old Timothy (also known as Tyler) William Patrick driving a motor vehicle. The officer had prior knowledge of Patrick’s license being revoked. Patrick was arrested for driving on a revoked license and his bond was set at $1,500. He will appear in court on July 30th..
Meanwhile on Sunday, June 28th, a deputy, while on patrol in the Long Branch area of the county, stopped 22 year old Brittany A. Loftis of Hanging Limb Road, Monterey for a traffic offense. Upon checking Loftis’ name for a driver’s license, it was found that she had none. Deputies arrested Loftis and charged her with driving without a license. Bond for Loftis was set at $1,000 and she will appear in court on July 30th.
Sheriff Patrick Ray and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July.
Here are some safety tips from Sheriff Patrick Ray.
Fourth of July Safety Tips
Water safety at the pool and lake:
” If possible, swim in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard present, and swim with others. Never swim alone.
” Enter the water feet first. Enter the water headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.
” Adults should never leave a child unobserved around water. Practice “reach supervision” by staying within an arm’s length of young children and weak swimmers while they are in and around the pool, lake or ocean.
” Take frequent breaks (about once an hour) where everyone gets out of the water, drinks water, reapplies sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and rests.
” If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore. If you can’t swim to the shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore.
” Watch out for the “dangerous too’s” – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
” Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool.
” If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.
Fireworks safety:
There are nearly 9,000 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks a year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission. You can enjoy these Fourth of July staples safely by doing the following:
” Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
” Keep a supply of water close-by as a precaution.
” Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
” Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
” Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
” Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
Safe Grilling:
Nothing says summer quite like the smell of barbecue. Make sure safety is a key ingredient in your Fourth of July by reading the following tips for safer grilling:
” Use gas and charcoal barbecue grills outside only.
” Position grills far from siding, deck railings, overhanging branches and house eaves.
” Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
” Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
” Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.
” Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use
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