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Here's the beef on DA's cow crash Dear Editor, In response to your article in last week's edition of The Clarke County Democrat, it is with great sadness that I must inform you that the cow did not make it; nor did the other cow that was struck by Darren Deas, son of Warren Deas-owner of both cows. Since your article appeared in last week's paper, I have received several phone calls regarding the incident. Some of the callers simply ask "Where's the beef?", and then hang up. Others ask "How did you fail to see a cow in the road?" To clear up some of the confusion, I would like to explain how the incident occurred. I had been preparing for the Washington County trial docket in my Chatom office for most of the day with my Assistant D.A., J.R. Morgan. We had made arrangements to meet a witness in Silas after the witness got off work that evening. We were returning from Silas to J.R.'s office in Jackson when the mishap occurred in Salipta. As we met Darren Deas, who was traveling northbound on Highway 69, both Darren and I dimmed our headlights (it was dark). Darren struck one of the cows, and skidded off the roadway. Although I did not realize what caused Darren to wreck, I did recognize that he was skidding off the road. For that reason, I began braking and, fortunately, had slowed to about 35 m.p.h. when I saw the yellow ear tag on one of the several dark brown cows in front of my vehicle. I braked hard but was not able to avoid hitting two of the cows. From an optimistic point of view, I managed to miss four of the six cows that remained in the road after Darren had already hit one, which I contend demonstrates my excellent driving abilities. As I am sure you are aware, no matter how well a fence is constructed, cows can sometimes get out. Apparently, a pack of dogs had caused the herd to break through a cypress-board fence. Darren was searching for the cows when he hit one. Let me reiterate. Darren was searching for the cows and ran over one. I had no idea the cows were out, and only managed to hit two. After the collision, I immediately called dispatch from my police radio and advised them of the accident. At that time on Friday evenings, Highway 69 is busy with people returning home from work and traveling to football games. Although I have made light of the incident in this letter, the situation was serious in that other motorists, some of whom were traveling faster than I had been traveling could have been injured or killed by colliding with one of the remaining cows. Within minutes of calling dispatch, members of the Salipta Volunteer Fire Department were on scene to make sure no one was injured or trapped in a vehicle, to assist with traffic control and to drive the remaining cattle from the roadway. I hope you will print something in next week's paper expressing my gratitude to these firefighters who assisted on the scene of this accident, as well as my sincere appreciation to all volunteer firefighters for the services they provide to our community. These men and women sacrifice their personal time, and in some instances, risk their lives to perform a necessary service to communities all across our county. Until I was elected District Attorney, I assumed that volunteer firefighters simply fought fires. I have come to realize that their services extend far beyond fighting fires. In many instances they are the first responders, especially in the remote areas of the county. We are fortunate to live in an area where so many people are willing to perform such a valuable service on a voluntary basis. I should also thank Trooper Caleb Deas, Deputy Steve Carlisle, Deputy Mark Leon and Reserve Deputy Scott "Smitty" Smith for their prompt response and for transporting myself and J.R. to our respective homes. It was my first, and hopefully, my last ride in the backseat of a police car. As for the state-provided vehicle, it was not totaled. Dale's Body Shop has informed me that it should be ready prior to the cook-out that Darren Deas has promised.
Spence Walker District Attorney
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