Ashcraft
An Atmore man who ran out of gas on Highway 31 in Flomaton was arrested later on felony charges after being accused of throwing big 'slag' rocks at passing 18-wheelers on Sardine Road, striking at least three in the windshield.
Thomas Joseph 'J.T.' Ashcraft, 31, 905 Wayside Road, Atmore, was charged with throwing a deadly missile into an occupied vehicle.
According to reports filed by the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff's Office, Ashcraft ran out of gas about 3 a.m. Monday in Flomaton on Highway 31 near Twin Bridges Road. The report noted Ashcraft then began walking back toward Atmore dressed in blue jeans, a shirt, a cowboy hat and carrying a guitar.
He apparently walked down Highway 113 to Sardine Road and was near the peanut plant when he tried to flag down truck drivers to get a ride. After not getting a ride, Ashcraft began throwing the large rocks at the passing trucks, striking them in the windshield.
Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said the sheriff's office received a call about 8:30 a.m. about the rock throwing.
He said deputies, along with officers from the Flomaton Police Department, responded. Prior to law enforcement arriving, Ashcraft left the scene running.
A perimeter was set up and the K-9 team from Fountain Prison was called. Lambert said the dogs trailed him about three-quarters of a mile before losing the scent at a location officials feel he caught a ride. Officers found Ashcraft's cowboy hat that included his name and information inside the band of his hat.
Lambert said Ashcraft was later found near Atmore and confessed to throwing the rocks saying he was mad because nobody would give him a ride.
He was booked into the Escambia County Jail and as of press time no bond had been set.
