CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The executive director of the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority has resigned.
The KCEAA Board of Directors put out a statement Thursday afternoon to announce it had accepted the resignation of Monica Mason, effective immediately.
The KCEAA announced that paramedic and current director of operations Jason Sergent has been selected as interim executive director to replace Mason.
“He will oversee day-to-day operations and continue working closely with leadership and staff during this transition period,” the statement from the board said.
Mason had served in the rule since July 2021, when she replaced longtime director Joe Lynch. Mason had previously served as deputy director and chief of medical services for the authority.
During the COVID-19 crisis, Mason helped lead the fight with the ambulance authority, the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and others to offer testing and vaccination clinics for county residents.
“The board appreciates her service and contributions to KCEAA and wishes her the very best in future endeavors,” the board statement said.
Mason’s resignation comes amid a tumultuous time for the authority after the high-profile death of John Lucas.
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.
Ambulance driver Alyssa Middleton, 19, pleaded not guilty earlier this month to charges of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide, and fleeing the scene of an accident-causing death — all felonies — in the death of Lucas.
Middleton’s pretrial date is set for July 28. The trial is scheduled to begin August 17.