KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. — The death of a West Virginia man is drawing mounting scrutiny in Kanawha County, as his family challenges the initial account released by the sheriff’s office and calls for accountability.
John Lucas, 45, was killed on April 15 during an encounter involving a Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority vehicle, according to officials. His family has since disputed the version of events released by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, WCHS reported.
Two EMS providers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, KCEAA Executive Director Monica Mason said.
Radio traffic from the incident indicates the EMS crew reported that a man armed with a knife chased them and jumped onto their ambulance as they were leaving. Dispatch audio also indicates the vehicle struck the man during the encounter.
Dispatch audio indicates the ambulance crew reported striking the man with the vehicle as they were leaving and told responders they were unsure about the extent of his injuries.
According to the radio traffic, dispatchers relayed that the man had been seen lingering near the station earlier and that the crew believed he may have been on or under the vehicle. At one point, dispatchers said the crew reported hearing screams coming from beneath the ambulance.
Although the crew was advised to stop, the vehicle continued moving, with dispatchers later telling responding law enforcement that the ambulance was still driving through the area.
Authorities believe the crew drove nearly two miles before stopping. When responders found Lucas, he was unresponsive but had a faint pulse; dispatch audio indicated he had suffered a severed arm and severe leg trauma. He later died at the hospital.
Lucas’ father and sister provided WCHS with surveillance video obtained by their attorney and a private investigator from a nearby business.
“They could have stopped right then. They knew they hit him, but no, instead of stopping, they take off and drive two miles,” Lucas’ father David said. “If they were scared and made a bad decision once they initially hit him, then their training had to take over. They had to know that they had to stop and render aid. That’s the creed of the ambulance service and paramedics and the EMTs,”
Family members said Lucas suffered a traumatic brain injury in a crash at age 16 and had struggled with decision-making ever since.
They also disputed initial claims that Lucas had a knife, saying no weapon has been found.
After speaking with a witness who was with him, the family said they believe Lucas was trying to flag down the ambulance for help after a tick bite.
The family is calling for criminal charges against the two EMS providers, saying arrests would likely have already been made if the case did not involve the ambulance authority. Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Debra Rusnak said she is working with the sheriff’s office and medical examiner’s office to review the case.
