Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller to personally pay for county vehicle's damages

Feb. 20—An incident that caused over $3,000 worth of damages to a county vehicle will not fall on the backs of taxpayers as Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller explained that money will come out of his own pocket.

The incident occurred on Feb. 9 and was reported the following day, according to Miller.

Miller said he was driving on Western Boulevard going to a meeting some time after dark when he cut a corner a little too short, damaging his county-issued vehicle on an adjacent road. He would not give a more specific time or location of the accident or the make, model, or year of his county issues vehicle.

Miller added there was limited visibility due to the windshield fogging up that contributed to the accident.

Onslow County Manager Sharon Russell confirmed Miller was not required to make an official incident report because the county is not paying anything related to the damages from the incident.

When asked if the county would pay for the damages if Miller made an official incident report, Russell added they would not.

"We will not require an incident report in this case, because the county is not paying the repair bill or filing insurance," added Russell.

The Daily News has reached out to the county for their policy regarding county vehicles and insurance.

"I take responsibility for the damages and will repair them on my own dime," Miller said. "I cut the corner a little too short and caused some superficial scratches."

Russell's understanding is the estimated damages to the vehicle are around $3,600, which Miller confirmed.

Miller previously had a vehicle replaced after Hurricane Florence, according to Russell.

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