KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. — The executive director of the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority has resigned, weeks after the agency faced public scrutiny following the death of a man who was struck and dragged by a KCEAA ambulance in Elkview.
In a memo to employees on May 28, the KCEAA Board of Directors said Monica Mason stepped down as executive director, effective immediately, WCHS reported.
The board appointed Jason Sergent as interim executive director. Sergent will oversee the agency’s day-to-day operations during the transition.
Mason’s resignation comes amid continuing fallout from the April 16 death of John Lucas, who died after he was struck by a KCEAA ambulance near Elkview.
Earlier in May, a Kanawha County special grand jury indicted EMT Alyssa Middleton on charges of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident causing death.
Mason’s resignation also comes as KCEAA faces scrutiny over its finances, adding to a series of challenges confronting the agency in recent months.
KCEAA faced financial scrutiny after reporting a multimillion-dollar deficit and approving rate increases of more than 200% for some services.
