Retired Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harris Hines died in a car crash Sunday, officials said.
Hines, 75, had just retired from the state’s highest court in August, after a long legal career.
He was appointed to the State Court of Cobb County in 1974 by then-Gov. Jimmy Carter, and then to the Supreme Court in 1995 by then-Gov. Zell Miller.
Cobb County Solicitor General Barry Morgan confirmed the news about Hines’ death in a Facebook post.
“I am blessed I was able to practice law before him, and to call him my mentor and friend,” Morgan wrote. “God bless his family and give them peace.”
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Details about the crash have not been released.
Hines was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital after the crash. Family members were informed Sunday about 4:30 p.m.
“Harris Hines was a really, really good guy,” Marietta author Mike King said. “He was kind and gentle and always has a smile to share, and a story to tell. As a jurist, he was vigilant about protecting the public’s right to know. I count him as one of the real friends in Marietta who made it a pleasure to live there.”
"He will truly be missed. I extend my sympathies to his wife and hope she will have a very swift recovery. and also to his family," Governor Nathan Deal told Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach Monday morning.
The governor also released a statement saying he was shocked and saddened and called Hines a true public servant.
AJC staff writer Jennifer Brett contributed to this report.