More details released as JPD investigate Onslow Sheriff's single-car incident
Feb. 24—More details were released regarding an early February incident involving
Yaniero informed Lee JPD would investigate the incident and send the results of the investigation to him. However, due to the working relationship between Lee and Miller, the DA will instead send the findings to District Attorney
"I believe it appropriate to have a prosecutor from another district who has not worked with
West confirmed he has received the report from JPD but has not reviewed the information as of Wednesday morning.
RELATED:
What we know
However, on Monday, the county provided
In the report, the location of the incident is listed as
Explaining the incident to
The incident caused approximately
Miller explained that money will come out of his own pocket. "I take responsibility for the damages and will repair them on my own dime. I cut the corner a little too short and caused some superficial scratches."
Miller added he reported the incident to the county the next day, however, there is not a date on the report
This is the second time in three years Miller has damaged his county-issued vehicle. In
The county replaced Miller's vehicle, which cost them
According to the county's vehicle policy, the driver must use the car strictly for county business. In accordance with federal and state law, an employee may not use a county-owned vehicle for personal use other than commuting.
Any employee operating or riding in a County vehicle or other motorized equipment must operate the vehicle or equipment in accordance with the county's safety policy, wear seat belts when driving, comply with the county's cell phone policy and refrain from smoking at all times. Failure to operate county vehicles or motorized equipment as prescribed by policies, procedures, work rules, or federal and state law, may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
Russell also released how county employees are expected to maintain county property during employment, as they are expected to maintain the property in a proper and safe working condition. They are also required to report any loss or damage to their supervisor immediately.
Employees may be held responsible for assigned county property that is lost or damaged due to negligence, misuse, or abuse. The employee's supervisor or the department head will decide if the employee is responsible for replacement or repair cost and the cost may be deducted from the employee's pay.
Russell confirmed the county is not paying anything related to the damages from the incident or filing insurance because Miller was not required to make an official report after offering to pay for the damages himself. When asked if the county would pay for the damages if Miller made an official incident report, Russell said "no".
UPDATE:
In the statement, he said there was a political meeting during the evening of
After hitting the fire hydrant, Miller added he got out of the car to observe the damages to the car and fire hydrant. The statement detailed what was previously reported by
"I believed that the damage to my (county) issued vehicle was less than a "reportable incident" and observing no other damage to any other object, I continued into the parking lot, parked my vehicle and attended the meeting. The meeting was well attended by citizens and I spoke to some. I left the meeting & drove directly to my residence," Miller said in his statement.
The statement finished by Miller saying no further comments are necessary.
Reporter
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