Crime
Law enforcement responding to multiple bomb threats at Seven voting precincts in DeKalb County, Georgia
DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections has reported bomb threats at seven locations, including five active voting precincts across the county.
To ensure the safety of voters and staff, the DeKalb County Police Department is conducting bomb sweeps at each of these sites.
The polling precincts affected are as follows:
- New Bethel AME Church at 8350 Rockbridge Rd., Lithonia
- New Life Community Center at 3592 Flat Shoals Rd., Decatur
- North DeKalb Senior Center at 3393 Malone Dr., Chamblee
- Reid H. Cofer Library at 5234 Lavista Rd., Tucker
- Wesley Chapel Library at 2861 Wesley Chapel Rd., Decatur
Additional locations, though not polling sites, have also received threats:
- Stonecrest (Old Sam’s Club), which is not an active polling location
- Salem Panola Library at 5137 Salem Rd., Lithonia
In response, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has assured the public, stating, “Every asset that we have will be deployed to ensure that every citizen who wants to vote will be given that opportunity and every vote cast will be counted.” DeKalb VRE Executive Director Keisha Smith added, “Rest assured that we are working quickly to ensure every voter will have an opportunity to cast their ballot despite these bomb threats.”
Voting at these affected locations is temporarily suspended as a precaution, and voting will resume once the police confirm the sites are safe.
The DeKalb County Law Department is also working to obtain an emergency order to extend voting hours at these impacted locations, ensuring every voter has the opportunity to cast their ballot.
Crime
4 Killed in Eden Crash at Carroll and Church Streets, Driver and Victims Identified
Michael Vernon, driver of dump truck involved charged.
A tragic crash in Eden, North Carolina, has left four people dead and several others injured following a multi-vehicle incident involving a dump truck and a utility work crew.
The Eden Police Department confirmed the incident occurred Thursday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Church Street, Carroll Street, and Park Road.
According to a news release from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), 66-year-old Michael Ray Vernon of Eden was operating a 2016 Hino dump truck owned by the City of Eden.
While traveling northbound on Carroll Street, Vernon failed to stop at a posted stop sign at the intersection with Church Street.
The dump truck proceeded through the intersection, striking six pedestrians—utility workers contracted through Carolina Power and Signalization—who were performing powerline work in the area.
The dump truck continued traveling north after striking the pedestrians, colliding with an occupied bucket truck before veering off the road and crashing into a ditch.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies arrived at the scene within minutes. Four of the six pedestrians were pronounced dead at the scene.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Douglas Garland Sides, 72, of Summerfield
- Madison Carter, 42, of Sandy Ridge
- William Evans, 35, of Randleman
- Matthew Lockwood, 30, of Winston-Salem
The two surviving pedestrians sustained life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to medical facilities.
They have been identified as:
- Hunter Carter, 24, of Reidsville – transported to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in critical condition
- Kevin Alexander, 34, of Eden – airlifted in stable condition
Cody Rich, 31, of Reidsville, who was inside the bucket truck at the time of the crash, was transported by ground to UNC Health Rockingham with non-life-threatening injuries.
Michael Vernon sustained minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
He has been charged with a stop sign violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
Investigators confirmed that impairment is not believed to have played a role in the crash.
Further charges may be considered as the investigation progresses.
The intersection remained closed for several hours as law enforcement officers and emergency crews conducted their investigation.
The area was reopened to traffic at approximately 10:30 p.m.
In a statement, Duke Energy, which works in coordination with Carolina Power and Signalization, expressed condolences:
“We are saddened about the tragic event that happened today, and our hearts go out to the families and teammates of those involved. The safety of our employees, contractors, and customers is the highest priority at Duke Energy. We are working closely with law enforcement officials.”
The NCSHP continues to lead the investigation, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact local authorities.