Kanawha County Prosecutor Debra Rusnak announced the charges against Alyssa Middleton on May 7, 2026 (WCHS-TV)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The family of a Kanawha County man who died after being run over and dragged by an ambulance is responding to a motion filed by Kanawha County Prosecutor Debra Rusnak for another prosecutor be appointed in the criminal case of ambulance driver Alyssa Middleton.
John Curtis Lucas
The family of John Lucas posted a statement Tuesday afternoon through its atttorney Charleston-based Summers Law.
The family said it does not oppose another prosecutor being appointed but it does take issue with some things Rusnak said in her motion.
“At no time has the family engaged in conduct against the prosecutor or her staff that could reasonably be interpreted as threatening,” the statement said. “The family feels that the motion does not accurately reflect their perspective. The family has expressed their concern about the quality of communication between the prosecutor’s office and John’s family.”
Middleton is charged with voluntary manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide, and leaving the scene of an accident causing death for the April incident.
Rusnak’s motion points to strained relations with the Lucas family including alleged statements by friends and family that the community will “take matters into their own hands” if the case’s outcome is not appropriate under their standards. Those statements resulted in a 24-hour law enforcement presence at Rusnak’s home.
Debra Rusnak
The Lucas family statement said it has received threats itself.
“They understand the importance of personal safety and the need for everyone involved in this case to be treated with dignity and respect. It is our understanding that the same individual who threatened members of the Lucas family has also threatened the prosecutor,” according to the statement from Summers Law.
Rusnak said a family member told her to “bend the rules, break the rules, or do whatever you have to do,” to win the case. The motion also states members of Lucas’s family indicated that they would commit criminal acts because they “know nothing will happen to them and they won’t go to jail.”
Alyssa Middleton pleaded not guilty to all three charges at an arraignment in May. (Photo/WCHS-TV)
Additionally, the filing cites the publicity for the case generated by the Lucas family, alleged attempts by the family to “intimidate and/or influence the Prosecuting Attorney,” and “protests, social media campaigns, and personal threats” against the defendant, investigators, and prosecuting attorney.
As a result of those claims, Rusnak states that “justice may only be served and the appearance of impropriety be avoided by the appointment of a special prosecutor.”
Tuesday’s statemetn from the family called for restraint from the public.
“There is no place for threats, intimidation, or harassment directed at anyone. That principle applies equally to the prosecutor and her staff, the defendant, witnesses, and John’s family. Everyone deserves to feel safe, regardless of their role in this case or their views about what happened,” the statement said.
The next status hearing in the case before Kanawha County Circuit Judge Dave Hardy is scheduled for Nov. 30. The West Virginia Prosecutor’s Institute would recommend the new prosecutor to handle the case.
Full statement from Summers Law Office:
Statement Regarding Motion for Disqualification and Appointment of Special Prosecutor
The family does not object to the Court relieving the prosecutor from this case. However, the family takes issue with some of the statements made in the prosecutor’s motion.
At no time has the family engaged in conduct against the prosecutor or her staff that could reasonably be interpreted as threatening. The family feels that the motion does not accurately reflect their perspective. The family has expressed their concern about the quality of communication between the prosecutor’s office and John’s family.
The Lucas family knows firsthand the fear and uncertainty that threats can create. Members of John’s family have received threats themselves since John’s death. It progressed to the point that several family members have been awarded personal safety orders against those making the threats. They understand the importance of personal safety and the need for everyone involved in this case to be treated with dignity and respect.
It is our understanding that the same individual who threatened members of the Lucas family has also threatened the prosecutor.
There is no place for threats, intimidation, or harassment directed at anyone. That principle applies equally to the prosecutor and her staff, the defendant, witnesses, and John’s family. Everyone deserves to feel safe, regardless of their role in this case or their views about what happened.
The family makes a sincere and emphatic appeal to the public for restraint. We ask everyone to refrain from threats, harassment, personal attacks, and any conduct that could place another person in fear for their safety. We also urge people to avoid spreading unverified information, making assumptions about the individuals involved, or engaging in online or public commentary that could inflame an already difficult situation. Disagreement and strong emotions must never become an excuse to target, intimidate, or endanger anyone.
The family’s focus remains on seeking justice for John Curtis Lucas and ensuring that the circumstances surrounding his death are fully and fairly addressed through the legal process. They recognize that this case has generated strong emotions, but they hope those emotions will not distract from the importance of allowing the process to move forward fairly and respectfully.
John’s memory should be honored by a commitment to truth, fairness, and accountability—not by hostility or threats directed at anyone. The family asks the community to demonstrate compassion, exercise good judgment, and allow the legal process to proceed without interference, intimidation, or escalation.
This is a time for restraint, not retaliation; for dignity, not hostility; and for justice, not threats. John’s life and memory deserve to be honored in a way that respects the safety and humanity of every person involved.
Unfortunately, the actions of a few are spoiling the hard work of the countless numbers of people who are demanding justice and keeping John’s memory alive.
