A local man has been charged with dragging his teenage granddaughter with his car Friday and seriously injuring her after an argument over a cell phone.
(This is one of many stories in the new Jail Report. Cover: http://bit.ly/1Nqs0E9)
William Thackston, 77, of Martinez, was charged with aggravated assault after the shocking incident in front of West Lake community on Furys Ferry Road.
According to a sheriff’s report, Thackston picked up his 17-year-old granddaughter from Augusta Christian Schools. In the car, they began arguing because she had purchased a cell phone.
“Her mother and grandfather did not want her to have a cell phone,” the sheriff’s report says. “Her grandfather told her to give him the cell phone or he was going to make her walk home.”
She said fine and said she would call one of her friends to pick her up. Thackston pulled over and the girl tried to get her book bag, but the passenger rear door was locked. She opened up the front passenger door and was going to get the bag when her grandfather pulled off.
The teen started running and trying to get into the car because she was afraid of being run over. She started to fall and grabbed onto the doorframe.
“As she did this, Thackston looked at her and told her to let go,” a report says.
The victim was dragged by the vehicle for 15 feet before letting go. Thackson pulled over, got out and yelled at the teen before driving off, a report says.
The entire incident was witnessed by two West Lake security guards.
Deputies arrived and found the teen “emotionally distraught” with trouble talking. EMS arrived and treated her.
Thackston eventually drove himself to the CCSO substation on Ronald Reagan Drive and told an employee that “the sheriff’s office would be looking for him.”
He told deputies he lef the scene because he didn’t think his granddaughter was injured.”
