BALLENGEE BACK ON JOB - Suffered Eye Injury Last Weekend

(01/30/2004)

Chief Deputy Sheriff Carl Ballengee is back on the job, a little worse for wear, after sustaining injuries in a car accident last Sunday.

Ballengee sustained injuries to his right eye when a clipboard struck him in the face during the rollover of his police jeep.

A ophthalmologist is treating Ballengee for a laceration on the eyeball, which also suffered bruising. He is expected to fully recover.

Ballengee was traveling north on Rt. 16 near Orma, returning from weekend training in Charleston with a police dog the sheriff's department is obtaining.

A witness said Ballengee met a vehicle traveling south that was sliding out-of-control, and attempted to avoid a collision. His vehicle spun out-of-control on the icy road and rolled-over.

Sheriff Allen Parsons said the Jeep is likely a total loss.