JACKSONVILLE, FL - Six days before Christmas 2002, two brothers died on a First Coast road. A judge found a tow truck driver responsible for the crash and suspended his license. But, First Coast News has learned that Sheridan Grimm has been driving for some time despite his license suspension.
Grimm was the tow truck driver for South Beach Body and Towing Company when a bumper fell of his truck causing a chain reaction accident. Grimm was charged with failing to secure a load.
According to court documents obtained by First Coast News, a judge found Grimm guilty and suspended his license for six months. However, the First Coast News I-Team caught Grimm driving.
First Coast News Photojournalist Paul King caught Grimm two weeks ago getting ready to haul several junk cars out on the road. Video also shows Grimm stopping for gas, heading off to a junkyard, and then driving home and having a bite to eat.
When asked to explain why he was driving Grimm responded, "I was told that it was alright." It wasn't. The First Coast News I-Team obtained a copy of the court's sentencing report. The document shows Grimm's attorney agreeing to have his client's license suspended.
Bartlett family attorney, Kevin Schoeppel says, "If in fact his license was suspended and he was on the road driving that tow truck during that period of time, our position is to let the law do what it should do."
On August 8th, the same day First Coast News caught Grimm driving, we contacted Judge Patti Christiansen's office to inform her that Grimm was still on the road. In addition the towing company that Grimm works for continued to let Grimm drive, despite being aware that his license had been suspended.
The owner of the towing company told First Coast News they had no comment regarding Grimm. After driving for thirty days on a suspended license, Grimm finally obtained his hardship license this week, which allows him to drive to and from work legally.
According to Bartlett family attorney, Kevin Schoeppel, "It was a horrible thing to happen to two children. But, there were more than two people involved in this accident."
Sean and Justin Bartlett were more than brothers they were best friends killed in a car accident not far from where they attended high school.
First Coast News