Prison Time for Man Who Drove Through Southside Playground

(RANDAL DYE)

A five-year prison term has been imposed on the man who did damage when he drove through the playground at Southside School earlier this year.

Randal Dye of Altamont was arrested on January 8. The 44-year-old Dye drove into Effingham about 11:19pm that night. City police officers monitored Dye's vehicle at a safe distance as he drove into town. During his journey, Dye's vehicle struck and damaged a trash can at Midtown Fuels, then drove through Bliss Park and struck a picnic table, bench, tree and two street signs. The vehicle then drove through a chain link fence at Southside School and crashed through various pieces of playground equipment before driving through another fence to exit school property. Dye's vehicle ultimately came to a stop after striking and damaging a fuel pump at Casey's General Store at 1101 South Banker. 

Effingham police had been monitoring Dye since he allegedly had tried to strike a Cumberland County sheriff's deputy with his vehicle earlier that evening.

In court Monday, Dye pleaded guilty to criminal damage to school property valued at between $10,000 and $100,000. Dye also pleaded guilty to a 2020 felony count of felon in possession of a weapon.

Dye was given credit for the 286 days he's served in jail awaiting disposition of the cases. Judge Allan Lolie also directed that Dye must make restitution of $21,986.48 for damage done. The restitution must be made within two years of his release from prison.