Serious dirt bike accident reported; deputies at a disadvantage

A 48-year-old man was transported to Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin with "suspected serious injuries" after his dirt bike collided with a Chevrolet Camaro across the river on Friday evening.

The driver of the dirt bike was identified as Shawn Durden, and the accident occurred at the intersection of Lovers Lane and Valentine Road, according to the accident report.

Added the accident report: "(The Camaro) was traveling east on Lovers Lane. (The dirt bike) was traveling west on Lovers Lane. (The Camaro) attempted to make a left hand turn on to Valentine Road, turning in front of (the dirt bike). (The Camaro) struck (the dirt bike's) front end. The driver (of the dirt bike) was ejected."

The man in the Camaro relayed to deputies that he "did not see" the dirt bike "due to it not having any operating headlights." The estimated crash time was 8:48 p.m. 

Dirt bikes, along with four-wheelers, are not legally allowed to be driven on public roadways. Maj. Scott Deason with the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office told Baldwin2K News that "we try to enforce the law to the best of our ability but as safely as possible." 

In other words, sheriff's deputies are disallowed from going full Roscoe P. Coltrane when spotting a dirt bike or four-wheeler on a county road.

"The problem that we have is that (the driver of a dirt bike or four-wheeler on a public roadway) will see us and leave the road and cut through someone's yard or into the woods," Deason said. "It's not like any of our deputies are going to leave the roadway and pick up a pursuit through the woods."

Deason added that "it's becoming an increasing problem, not just here but in many parts of Georgia."

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