Cumberland County Sheriff's Office seeks replacement for 26 lost vehicles after accidents

Cumberland County officials are moving forward with plans to replace 26 sheriff's department vehicles lost in traffic accidents, following a recent Board of Commissioners meeting. The vehicles, which were declared total losses, have had their insurance settlements processed, but questions remain about the financial specifics surrounding the incidents.

Captain Morning Clay, responsible for outfitting the sheriff's vehicles, addressed the board, emphasizing the need to replace the lost vehicles. He confirmed that insurance payments had been made to the county for the losses, but the exact amount and details regarding which vehicles were covered remain unclear.

Commissioner Sharon Jones raised critical questions about the insurance claims, particularly regarding how many of the accidents were deemed the sheriff's fault and how that affected the insurance payouts. She sought clarity on the total amount reimbursed to the county and the number of vehicles involved in claims where the sheriff's department was not at fault.

The total estimated cost for replacing the 26 vehicles is around $2.2 million. Commissioner Tyson has requested further information from the sheriff's office to provide a clearer picture of the financial implications and to guide the board in making decisions about the vehicle replacements.

As discussions continue, the board aims to ensure that the sheriff's office can effectively replace the lost vehicles while addressing the financial accountability of the incidents. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial for maintaining the operational capacity of the sheriff's department in Cumberland County.