Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Accident Claims The Life Of Florida Man

   A tragic accident at a Lawrence County four-wheeling course claimed the life of a Florida resident late last week.

   Official reports show that Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputies were summoned to Wheelin’ In the Country at 188 Anderson Creek Road, Summertown, around 10:30 Friday morning on a call of an accident with injury.

   When they arrived, deputies spoke with 26-year-old Kimpler Thomas Keith of 2317 Bob White Lane, Pensecola, Florida. He reported that he and friend Nathan Richard Thompson, 29, of 1415 Tate School Road, Tantonment, Florida, had arrived the previous day to camp and drive the trails.

   That morning, Keith reported, Thompson had been attempting to climb a hill in their hybrid Toyota truck while he filmed the attempts using an 8 mm camera. After two failed attempts, Keith said Thompson made it approximately half way up the hill before the truck lodged on some rocks and something malfunctioned in the steering, causing the truck to become stuck.

   Keith told deputies that Thompson exited the truck and looked over the situation, then reentered and attempted to allow the truck to roll back down the hill. He indicated that the truck turned sideways, flipped over, and began to roll down the hill. Thompson was ejected and the truck rolled over him, causing extensive injuries. (He was not breathing at that point.) The truck continued to roll down the hill, coming to rest upright at the bottom.

   Keith stated that he quickly went for help, then returned and began performing CPR. He continued until ambulance personnel arrived on the scene and took over. Thompson was transported to Crockett Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

   Deputies noted that it appeared Thompson had not been wearing a helmet or seat belt at the time of the accident.

   Keith’s video was seized and placed into evidence.