Ronnie Painter

Ronnie PainterAbigail Millen“Dispatch, there’s an erratic driver, possibly drunk, on Shelby Highway.” Those were some of the last words Ronnie Painter heard before his life-changing accident. Late one Monday night Painter, a sheriff’s deputy, was on patrol when he received a call about an erratic driver. After receiving the call, Painter went to search for the driver but was hit head-on by a 1997 Mitsubishi.

A 19-year-old, Darrell Dean Huskey, Jr., was driving the Mitsubishi and was coincidentally the person Painter had received the dispatch call about. Painter became unresponsive following the crash. Oncoming drivers Michael Crook, 18, of Blacksburg and Shane Seals, 26, of Gaffney were driving around when they saw the wreck. The men said that they had seen somebody flagging them down. Seals could not find anything to break the window with, but he had noticed the flames coming from the hood of the car. He immediately shattered the window with his fist. The men dragged Painter out of the vehicle, and seconds later the vehicle erupted into flames.

When the ambulance arrived, they rushed Painter to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Huskey was not as fortunate; he later died at Upstate Carolina Medical Center. A highway patrolman said Huskey passed a car and failed to enter back into the proper lane. Huskey hit Painter's 2005 Ford Crown Victoria.

The doctors announced that Painter was in good condition the day following the wreck. Although Painter was in good condition, he broke many bones in his body. His right foot was crushed, and the left foot was broken. The doctors had to place three pins in his right foot. Painter was also left with everything broken in his left arm. He had wires and a pin placed in his arm to hold the broken bones together. From these injuries, Painter did not walk until five months later. 

Even after this tragic wreck in 2006, Painter is still a very strong, hardworking, and successful man. To this day, Painter has trouble with his feet, but he is still protecting his community. He is well-respected and highly regarded in his department. He has many heroic qualities. Even after his wreck, he continues to risk his life to protect Cherokee County citizens. He loves what he does, and he does not fear getting hurt again.  Painter said, “I am stronger. Don’t take life for granted! Be thankful for who and what you have and life itself.”