A car fire at Kroger in Cartersville around 12:40 p.m. had severe damage. An official cause remains under investigation.
At the same time, in Euharlee a single-wide mobile home burst into flames off Milam Bridge Road. Located near the wood line, only charred bits of the unoccupied home remained when firefighters began leaving the scene. The cause remains under investigation.
Meanwhile, other county firefighters responded to a fire on the railroad north of Pine Log near the county line. CSX was called for an inspection of burned cross ties, and trains were backed up north and southbound until an all-clear was given. Units from the Georgia Forestry also responded to the call.
Woman struck by train
About 6:15 p.m. Thursday on Carter Street near Railroad Street in Cartersville, an intoxicated male and female couple were near the railroad tracks. As a train came by, the female was hit by the train and sustained a laceration to the head.
She was subsequently located in the vicinity of North Erwin Street and Carter Street. She was responsive and walking around. She was treated at the scene and then transported to Cartersville Medical Center with a non-life threatening injury.
The male subject was arrested for an outstanding warrant.
Graffiti may be signs of gang activity
Bartow County Sheriff's Office deputies have been responding to several reports of suspected or known gang activity.
According to the BCSO, reports include graffiti on property, theft and assault. Activity that could be gang-related includes, but is not limited to, graffiti, property damage not related to theft and medium or large groups of youth meeting late at night. For information on gangs and gang activity, the BCSO encourages residents to visit http://crimeprevention.crimereports.com/2010/01/19/gangs-vs-communities-prevention-strategies/.
Off-duty officer catches DUI
Wednesday evening an off-duty Sheriff's Office deputy was involved in a hit-and-run when a woman driving under the influence hit the deputy's vehicle.
While at a stop sign on Merchant's Square Drive behind Lowes, the deputy's car was struck on the driver's side. The female driver of the second vehicle allegedly never stopped and continued driving to the Lowes parking lot. According to the report, the deputy followed the woman, and when she attempted to walk away, the deputy detained her for leaving the accident scene.
The woman, identified as Christina White, was reportedly stumbling and had slow, slurred speech. She claimed that her boyfriend was driving the car but a witness and the deputy said White was the only one in the vehicle. White admitted she had a "lot" of alcohol and that she should not be drinking with her medication. A check of her license revealed a suspension.
White was arrested and charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and suspended license.