The driving woes of a deputy sheriff have again put Sheriff George Wilhelm and the county at odds.

Wilhelm is refusing to provide the county any information related to Deputy William Earl Connell and two recent driving episodes in which Connel was involved.

The sheriff has renewed his contention that he and his department are not subject to county control.

Wilhelm said he is waiting until the deputy returns to work to conduct his own investigation.

Connell, 58, of Woodleaf, is currently out of work recuperating from injuries received when he wrecked a county-owned patrol car in Mecklenburg County on July 23. In a police report, the driver of the other car and a witness say Connell ran a red light and struck the other vehicle.

Connell said today he plans to challenge the wreck report and the conclusion.

The wreck occurred on July 23, two weeks after an electronic surveillance system photographed a Rowan County sheriff’s car going 16 mph over the speed limit in Iredell County.

County officials and Sheriff Wilhelm say the speeding car was assigned to Connell.

Ken Deal, county director of administration, said Wilhelm has refused to provide any information about whether the deputy was on duty when the incidents occurred or if any disciplinary action has been taken.

The county Personnel Board discussed both episodes in a meeting last month and instructed Deal to write a letter to Wilhelm and seek information.

Deal included a copy of the warning notice from Iredell County and also cited the wreck in Mecklenburg County in the letter.

“It appears from the accident report the car was a total loss and he was at fault,” wrote Deal.

Deal went on to ask if Connell was on official business and if Wilhelm had taken any disciplinary action.

Two days later, Wilhelm responded and cited N.C. General Statues that he has the exclusive right to hire, discharge and supervise his employees.

“I also believe it is not appropriate for me to delegate my constitutional and statutory duties to anyone not under my control,” wrote Wilhelm.

He suggested that if the county had any further complaints they should forward them to him for his investigation and disposition.

He provided no additional information.

Wilhelm said today that he hasn’t talked with Connell about either incident. “I haven’t investigated it because he is out on disability,” he said.

He said he will do an investigation and take discipline if necessary. “It’s my job,” said the sheriff, emphasizing that his employees are his responsibility.

He said that as far as he knows Connell has a clean driving record but added that he hasn’t looked at his driving record.

Connell said he is assigned to transportation. He said that in the Mecklenburg incident, he had taken a person to a facility for a mental commitment and was returning to Salisbury when the accident occurred.

He added that he doesn’t know anything about the speeding warning issued by Iredell authorities.

A career law enforcement officer, Connell said he has worked for the Sheriff’s Department since 1991 and has never been involved in an accident before while on duty.

Deal said this is the first time he can recall where the sheriff has refused to provide information related to employees in similar circumstances. In the 12 years that Bob Martin was sheriff, Deal said information was immediately provided involving wrecks or other mishaps involving deputies.

Deputies in the previous administration were also subject to county personnel policies, Deal said.

Under the county personnel policy, an employee with the driving problems linked to Connellcould face disciplinary action including mandated remedial driving courses.

A Sheriff’s Department policy dated Dec. 6, 1999, states: “Sheriff’s office vehicles will be operated at all times in accordance with all state traffic laws, county and city ordinances and polices and procedures of the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.”

Preliminary figures indicate the cost to county tax payers will exceed $20,000. Employees and vehicles are covered under the county’s self-insurance plan.

The cost of the vehicle was put at $6,000. In addition, the county expects to pay Connell about $6,000 while he is out of work.

Connell is currently scheduled to return to work Tuesday. He sustained a broken arm.

Deal said the county hopes to settle the claim with the other driver for about $10,000. Negotiations are under way.

According to the accident report, Connell was driving a 1997 Ford on North Tryon Street in Charlotte just before 1 p.m. on July 23.

His vehicle collided with a 1998 Chevrolet driven by Teressa Eudy Akins of Locust. The vehicle sustained an estimated $4,000 in damage. She and a passenger were injured.

Both Akins and a witness in another vehicle told the investigating officer that the patrol car ran the red light and struck Akins.

Connell told the officer he stopped for the red light and went forward when the light changed to green.

No charges were filed.

In the earlier episode, the vehicle assigned to Connell became the first county vehicle to be caught speeding on camera.

The marked Sheriff’s Department car was clocked and photographed going 61 mph in a 45 mph zone on July 11 on N.C. 64 in Iredell County.

Connell said today he rarely drives U.S. 70. “I’m not sure it was me. It’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

The electronic equipment recorded the car just after 6 p.m.

Rowan County received the warning ticket citing the violation as excessive speed. As a warning ticket, the county does not have to pay the fine.

As a matter of policy, the county does not pay any tickets issued to employees while driving county-owned vehicles.

Contact Jessie Burchette at jburchette@salisburypost.com  or call 704-797-4254.