A Sparta man who bolted from the scene of an accident on Tuesday, leaving his passenger and the injured driver of the other vehicle behind, has been released on time served.
The hit-and-run driver, Devon R. Kirby, 25, entered guilty pleas Thursday before General Sessions Judge Bill Locke to charges of driving on a suspended license and leaving the scene of an accident with injury. He was released on two days time served and placed on probation for a year. He was also directed to pay $50 plus costs and lose his driver license for one year.
Kirby was driving a 2006 Ford Fusion on Sparta Highway when he collided with a 1986 Chevy Celebrity driven by Floyd Shockley, 64, of Spencer. Highway Patrolman Kyle Herren said the wreck was Shockley’s fault because he pulled from Mud Creek Road into the path of Kirby, who had the right of way.
Kirby ended up smacking into the back end of the Shockley vehicle, sending it rolling into a ditch. Kirby ran from the scene of foot.
His passenger stayed with the wreckage and was not charged. Shockley was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries.
Trooper Herren located Kirby walking along the road a few minutes after the wreck.
“He said he didn’t want to go back to jail,” Herren said, noting Kirby did not have a license and was on probation in White County. His jail time here does not include any time he may get in Sparta for violation of probation.