Atlanta Police Department Senior Officer Gail Thomas was killed late Tuesday evening, January 27, 2012. After coming to assist a fellow APD officer with a traffic accident on the Brookwood Interchange ramp, Thomas exited her patrol car and was struck by drunk driver Chasity Jones of Stone Mountain, Georgia. Refusing to consent for a blood alcohol reading at the scene, Jones was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital after a search warrant was obtained where the blood alcohol test was administered. At .16, Jones’ blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit.
After appearing before a Fulton County court judge, Jones was denied bond for the vehicular homicide felony. She was granted bond for the two misdemeanor charges. Prosecutors asked the judge to deny Jones bond due to her previous driving record and failure to appear in court. She has had six citations in five years – four were for speeding as were four for bond forfeitures. Her next hearing is scheduled for February 9 in Fulton County Superior Court.
Fulton Court Judge Jessy Lall stated, “I’m really concerned about her ability and her erratic inability to appear for court in the last few years.” Jones wept as bail was denied.
