KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. — A Kanawha County EMT accused in the death of a man who was struck and dragged by an ambulance in Elkview has pleaded not guilty in connection with the incident.
Alyssa Middleton, 19, appeared on May 8 before Kanawha County Circuit Judge Dave Hardy for arraignment and pleaded not guilty to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide and fleeing the scene of an accident causing death, WCHS reported.
All three charges are felonies in connection with the death of John Lucas.
Judge Hardy set Middleton’s bond at $100,000 and scheduled her trial for Aug. 17. During the bond hearing, Middleton’s attorney, Tim Carrico, described her mental state after she and her partner saw Lucas outside the Elkview ambulance station with what they believed to be a knife.
“They didn’t want to get out of the ambulance. They were scared because they knew he was out there. They saw him with a knife. They were scared,” Carrico said. “I believe this will all come out in the video because it’s all recorded.”
Carrico said earlier reports that Lucas ran into the road and jumped onto the ambulance were inaccurate. He said Middleton acted out of fear when Lucas approached the front of the ambulance.
“He’s coming at them at the front of the ambulance, and that’s when they’re screaming and yelling, and she reacts to that situation,” he said. “Mr. Lucas is hit at that point in time.”
Lucas is believed to have been dragged under the ambulance and lost his arm. Carrico said Middleton and her partner called 911 after the collision and believed Lucas had been left at the scene.
Carrico said Middleton and her partner were scared, immediately called 911 and stayed on the line while following dispatchers’ instructions.
Carrico said Middleton has no prior criminal history, has lived in Kanawha County her entire life and had worked for the county ambulance authority for about four months before the fatal incident. He also offered sympathy to Lucas’ family on Middleton’s behalf.
The case drew attention on social media after Lucas’ death, with family supporters calling for charges and holding a protest in downtown Charleston. Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Debra Rusnak later urged patience as the investigation moved forward.
Supporters using the slogan “Justice for John” packed the arraignment, some wearing shirts calling for Middleton and her partner to be arrested. Rusnak said the lack of earlier updates was due to the need to keep investigative details confidential.
With a trial date now set, prosecutors and defense attorneys will enter discovery as investigators continue to process evidence. Rusnak said she does not expect the charges to change.
