CHARLESTON, W.Va. –A multi-count indictment has been handed up against the Kanawha County ambulance driver who struck a man who died last month.
Kanawha County Prosecutor Debra Rusnak announced Thursday afternoon 16-member special grand jury indicted Alyssa Middleton.
Middleton is charged with voluntary manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide, and fleeing the scene of an accident-causing death, all felonies.
John Lucas, 45, of Elkview, died in the early morning hours of April 16.
Initial reports included statements from the two-member female crew that Lucas was allegedly lurking around the ambulance station in Elkview in the early morning hours and may have been in possession of a knife. Surveillance video in the area showed Lucas entering the roadway as the ambulance approached. The ambulance appears to have stopped and then moved forward after making contact with Lucas, who fell beneath the front of the vehicle. He was dragged for more than a mile.
He was found critically injured along U.S. Route 119 and died a short time later. An arm was severed from his body.
Middleton will be arraigned at 10 a.m. Friday before Kanawha County Circuit Judge Dave Hardy.
Rusnak did not take questions from reporters at Thursday’s news conference. She said the investigation is ongoing.
“We are unable to provide any further information as to the evidence or the facts of this case, I am very limited on the information that I am permitted by law to disclose, and for that reason we are not going to be able to elaborate much,” Rusnak said during their press conference.
Kanawha County Sheriff Joe Crawford first expressed the Lucas family would be in their thoughts and prayers as the case plays out.
He also commended the detectives and officers who are handling the case.
“I want to say that they did their job under intense scrutiny and difficult circumstances, this case could not be solved in a couple of days due to the fact of the enormous amount of evidence that we’ve gathered,” Crawford said.
There has been over 400 pieces of evidence collected since the investigation started.
Crawford said the investigation has taken the work and hours everyone to ensure it’s been thorough.
“Hundreds and hundreds of man hours spent in this case, it’s a difficult case, and we’re going through recovering and combing through video evidence and conducting numerous interviews,” he said.
The Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority released a statement Thursday afternoon:
“As we have said from the start, KCEAA was waiting for the investigation to come to a resolution. That evidently has partially happened this afternoon with the grand jury findings.
“We are now consulting with our legal counsel and will be taking the appropriate employment action in the near future.
“Now that we are able to speak publicly, KCEAA would like to extend our condolences to the Lucas family.”
Scott Summers, the Lucas family attorney, released a statement on the Summers Law Office Facebook page on behalf of the family Thursday evening:
“First and foremost, the family gives their thanks to God for answered prayers. They would also like to thank the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department and Deb Rusnak and her staff at the Prosecutor’s office for their hard work. (Especially in the face of considerable unwarranted criticism.) They would also like to express their thanks to the community. You have lifted them up and supported them during this horrible time. You have ensured that John’s name and memory are kept alive.”