ANDERSON COUNTY - A Pickens police officer found himself on the other side of the law New Year’s Day after crashing his patrol car into a tree.

Irving “Rocky” Simmons, a patrolman with the Pickens Police Department, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence by the state Highway Patrol.

At about 2:15 a.m., Simmons was traveling southbound on Zion Church Road when his patrol car went off the right side of the road, said SCHP Lance Cpl. Kathy Hiles.

“He overcorrected, went off the left side and hit a tree,” Hiles said.

Pickens Police Chief Tommy Ellenburg issued a statement that included information about an internal investigation into the arrest.

Simmons resided at a home on Zion Church Road and had just left after an argument with his girlfriend, Ellenburg said.

“Simmons drove out of the driveway and across and off the roadway in front of the residence,” Ellenburg said. “This is where Anderson County Sheriff’s Deputies found his patrol car.”

Speed was not believed to be a factor in the crash and Simmons was not injured, Hiles said.


Simmons’ blood alcohol concentration was not immediately available but was expected to be included on the ticket submitted by the SCHP to the Magistrate’s Office, Hiles said.

After being booked, Simmons was released the same day on a personal recognizance bond of $992, according to officials at the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.

Among Simmons' duties were road patrol and advanced Driving Under the Influence enforcement, according to the Pickens police Web site as of Wednesday.

Ellenburg said Simmons was not on duty at the time of the crash.

“Simmons has been terminated from employment with the Pickens Police Department,” Ellenburg said.

Reach Ginny Johnson at 855-0355 or gjohnson@theeasleyprogress.com.