Former Officers Can’t Be Sued For Fatal Crash

ALBANY, GA –

The Georgia Supreme Court rules two former Dougherty County Police Officers can’t be sued for their role in a fatal crash. The officers were on their way to a training event in Savannah in 2007 when one of them rear-ended a trailer.

The vehicle towing the trailer overturned and one man inside was killed. In June 2009 William Wilcox and his wife sued the officers for negligence.

A Superior Court ruled in favor of the officers and the Wilcox’s appealed all the way to the Supreme Court which Monday affirmed the lower court’s decision.

The fatal crash happened on April third, 2007 on Interstate 16 in Candler County. Dougherty County HEAT Officer Jeremiah Fenn rear ended a trailer towed by William Wilcox, causing his vehicle to overturn. His son Milton was ejected and killed. The Wilcox’s filed a lawsuit against Fenn and Officer Oscar Gilliam and the county, but today the Supreme Court ruled the officers are immune under Georgia’s Tort Claims Act. Chief Don Cheek reacted to the news.

“I’m pleased initially to say the least. Neither one of the officers is still working with our department, but it’s not due to that accident,” said Dougherty County Police Chief Don Cheek.

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