CANTON, Ohio — The family of a firefighter-paramedic who was hit by a car and killed in February are protesting a medical examiner’s ruling that she died by suicide.
NewsNew5.com reported that a medical examiner ruled last week that Tonya Johnson died by suicide when she walked into traffic.
“The family contends that Ms. Johnson’s actions on the night of her death indicate an undeniable will to live — negating the finding of suicide,” the family said in a statement.
Police said Johnson got out of her car during an argument with her husband over directions while they were on an expressway. She crossed three lanes, climbed over a cement barrier and was hit by a truck. She was dead before police arrived.
The couple had been married for less than two weeks.
“The family will explain that Johnson exhibited none of the common warning signs of suicide as outlined by mental health professionals,” the family said. “To the contrary, Johnson exhibited future-oriented behaviors — setting personal goals, making plans for her business and laying a framework for her life after having served the community for 18 years as a firefighter.”