ELKVIEW, W.Va. — New Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority Executive Director Lance Wheeler took quick action on his first day on the job Wednesday and fired two workers involved in a dragging death.
A Wednesday afternoon announcement said Alyssa Middleton and Rayna Scott were no longer employed by the ambulance authority effective Wednesday.
“The Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority remains committed to providing professional, high quality emergency medical services to the residents of Kanawha County,” Wheeler said in a news release. “We continue to maintain full operational capability, and our teams are dedicated to serving our community.”
Middleton, 19, was charged on May 8 with voluntary manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide, and fleeing the scene of an accident-causing death, all felonies, in connection with the April 16 death of Elkview area resident John Lucas.
Investigators said Middleton was driving the ambulance in the Elkview area when it struck Lucas and dragged his body underneath the ambulance for more than a mile. Scott was in the passenger seat. There were no charges filed against her.
Some of what happened was caught on surveillance video.
The KCEAA statement released Wednesday also said:
“The Authority employs a team of skilled emergency medical professionals who respond to calls throughout Kanawha County 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Authority and its employees are committed to the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and care in emergency medical services. The Authority will continue its mission of delivering timely and compassionate emergency medical care to all who need it. The Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority is cooperating fully with all ongoing investigations and legal proceedings and remains committed to transparency and accountability.”
At Middleton’s court arraignment in May, her attorney Tim Carrico said Middleton and her partner both called 911 after the collision and believed Lucas to have been left at the scene.
“She’s scared. Her partner’s scared. they both call 911. They get 911 on the phone. She’s with 911 on the phone, the whole time, from the time she calls right after this happens all the way until the time she finally stops and I submit she followed their instructions,” he said.
Middleton is free on $100,000 bail. Her next court appearance is July 28. Middleton’s trial is scheduled for Aug. 17.
Wheeler was hired by the ambulance authority last week He resigned his seat on the Kanawha County Commission to take the job.