On Monday, March 18th, 2013 the Bates County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Urich and Adrian Fire Departments on a Bates County Sheriff’s Deputies vehicle fire.
The deputy reported that he was driving down County Road 15004 when he noticed his trunk light indicator came on. He stopped the vehicle and checked the trunk lid, which was closed. He then opened the trunk with his key fob and saw the right rear quarter section of the vehicle’s trunk was on fire. He then attempted to remove items out of the trunk. The vehicle became fully engulfed in flames before the deputy was able to remove anything more than the weapons. The deputy received burn injuries to his hands and was treated at the scene by Bates County EMS.
According to the deputy’s report the initial fire was in the location of the battery and fuse box. The Bates County Sheriff’s Office contacted the dealership where the cars where purchased after learning that there were possible recalls on the Charger Police Package vehicles. A Google search also revealed at least one other law enforcement agency has experienced a fire that originated in the right rear quarter panel. That agency could not speak with the Sheriff’s Office based on signing a non-disclosure agreement with Chrysler. According to Chrysler the fleet of police cars that were recently purchased by the Bates County Sheriff’s Office was not included in any recall.
On 3/26/13, Chrysler sent an investigator to inspect the vehicle to determine the cause of the fire.
The Bates County Commission and the Bates County Sheriff’s Office are in the process of replacing the vehicle and all the equipment that was destroyed. The total lost is expected to reach $50,000.
Sheriff Anderson said, “Our concern is to get some answers from Chrysler so that we can provide a safe and reliable vehicle for our Deputies to respond to the needs of the Citizens of Bates County. We still currently have 8 Dodge Chargers in service at the Sheriff’s Office.”
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