CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Kanawha County Prosecutor Debra Rusnak is calling for patience from the Elkview community as the investigation continues into last week’s death of John Lucas.
Lucas ran in front of a Kanawha County ambulance last Thursday morning, April 16, and was run over by the ambulance as the ambulance crew drove off from the scene.
Rusnak said at a Tuesday afternoon news conference there are 250 pieces of evidence to review. She said it’s too early to come to any conclusions about what happened but said initial reports might not include the whole story.
“As the investigation is developing it has become clear that the initial accounts of the incident do differ from the evidence reviewed thus far,” Rusnak said. “In our search for the truth and the pursuit of justice a full and fair investigation is underway.”
The initial reports included word from the two-female crew that Lucas was lurking around the ambulance station in Elkview in the early morning hours and possibly had a knife. Video shows Lucas going into the road as the ambulance approached. The ambulance appears to have stopped and then took off after making contact with Lucas and he fell underneath the front of the vehicle. The ambulance later reported hearing Lucas screaming underneath the ambulance as it kept going. Authorities found him critically injured along U.S. Route 119. He died a short time later. A knife has not been found.
The Lucas family told WCHS-TV the ambulance crew should have stopped and rendered aid. They are calling on the two employees of the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority to face criminal charges. The familiy said John Lucas suffered a brain injury at 16 and had trouble making decisions in certain situations.
Many in the community have come out in support of Lucas and his family. Rusnak addressed that Tuesday.
“While we understand the public’s frustration and anger surrounding this incident, it is necessary that we protect the integrity of the investigation,” Rusnak said. “This is a complex investigation and it will take some time to complete so we do ask for the public’s patience in the process.”
She also said she felt obligated to let residents know that online and personal threats are criminal acts in West Virginia. Rusnak said they can be distracting to the investigation.
Kanawha County Chief Deputy Sean Snuffer said the department is handling the investigation like it does all others involving death.
“At this time certain aspects of the investigation cannot be released to the public, this is not something that is unusual,” Snuffer said. “It is necessary to protect the integrity of the investigation, preserve evidence and insure that all facts are developed before conclusions are drawn.”
Snuffer said once the investigation is complete the information will be turned over to the Rusnak for a determination on charges.
Both Snuffer and Rusnak expressed their condolences to the Lucas family Tuesday.
“I am so sorry for your loss,” Rusnak said.
Rusnak and Snuffer did not take questions from reporters.
Officials with the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority did not attend Tuesday’s news conference. The authority previously told MetroNews it was cooperating with the sheriff’s department’s investigation.