Meriwether County Sheriff Chuck Smith wants to remind all to use extreme caution in our school zones.
“On February 16, 2022, around 07:39 am. two of our joint MCBOE/MCSO School Resource Officers, were working traffic control operations at Roosevelt Hwy at its intersection with Judson Bulloch Road. This traffic control operation is conducted by our SROs for Mountain View Elementary School which is near this intersection located on Judson Bulloch Road. The area is marked with “School Zone” flashing warning signs and the posted speed limit. The SRO has their assigned marked patrol unit at the intersection with their blue lights flashing on Roosevelt Hwy, while conducting the detail. SRO Sanita Griffies was out of her patrol unit in the intersection during the designated times performing her assigned duties with directing traffic. During this time, a vehicle traveling northbound on Roosevelt Hwy attempted to avoid a collision with another vehicle that was traveling westbound on Judson Bulloch Road. Based on the information that we have been provided at this time the vehicle traveling westbound on Judson Bulloch Road disregarded a stationary traffic control device. At which time SRO Griffies was struck by the vehicle that was attempting to avoid the collision. Griffies sustained substantial visible bodily injury from being hit. She was transported by Meriwether County Fire Rescue to an area trauma hospital for treatment of her injuries. The Georgia State Patrol, Manchester POST responded to the location to conduct the accident scene investigation.” Sheriff Chuck Smith said.
“We are extremely fortunate that SRO Griffies was not severely injured or killed. She still has a long road of recovery ahead of her. All over our State local law enforcement officers and school crossing guards are performing these types of critical functions for the safety and security of our school aged children. We want our children safe, and we want our personnel safe that are performing these traffic control operations. So, I ask all our area driver’s to be extra vigilant in their vehicle operation, especially in these school zones. I am sure that the Meriwether County Board of Education and its administrators feel the same. Fines and penalties for speeding and disregarding a traffic control device in a school zone can be severe, these penalties would be minimal compared to injuring someone. I want to thank other county and municipal first responders that came to the aid of SRO Griffies. I also want to thank those in our community who have reached out with positive thoughts and prayers for SRO Griffies during this challenging time. I appreciate each of you so much.” Sheriff Smith advised.
