Family Sues Smith Co., Sheriff

Traci Shaw, 9, was critically injured last weekend after being struck by a patrol car in Smith County. Now, her family is suing the county and the sheriff's office for over a million dollars.

According to Smith County Sheriff Johnny Bane, Reserve Deputy Chris Huddleston was responding to a domestic call in the city of Carthage Saturday night when the accident occurred.

Traci Shaw, her father and 2 friends were walking in the grass, along Industrial Drive, where the reserve deputy's car lost control. "One wheel of the patrol car got off into the grass in the curve. He lost control sideways that's when he struck the young girl knocking her into the light pole,” said Sheriff Bane.

Sheriff Bane said he immediately called the THP and TBI to investigate the wreck. THP investigators said Huddleston was wearing a boot or cast on his left foot during the crash. Whether that played a role is unclear. The patrol car is also being examined at the THP Headquarters, looking for signs of tire wear and mechanical defect.

A reserve deputy is essentially an unpaid volunteer, who has power to arrest, yet he has not been certified by the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy which mandates at least 40 hours of driver education and training. Huddlestonwas scheduled to go the law enforcement training academy this fall. Sheriff Bane said Huddleston has all ready taken firearms training and psychological testing. Huddleston has no previous driving infractions or accidents that were his fault.

Link to article on WKRN