Kanawha County, WV, Ambulance Driver Indicted on Homicide Charges after Striking, Dragging Man

The ambulance driver who struck a man and drove away with him entangled under the vehicle has been indicted on homicide and manslaughter charges.

A Kanawha County Grand Jury returned its decision to indict Alyssa Middleton on charges of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide, and leaving the scene of an accident causing death, all felonies.

Middleton, who was driving the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority rig, will be arraigned Friday, WOWK reported.

On April 16, a surveillance camera captured John Lucas running into the road and facing the ambulance, which initially braked but didn't stop. When he turned and faced it, the rig sped up and struck him.

The ambulance then kept going with Lucas pinned under it. Investigators determined the crew heard him screaming, but didn't stop. Dispatchers also told Middleton to pull over, but she didn't.

Found on a highway about two miles away with a severed arm, Lucas was transported to a hospital but died of his injuries.

The EMTs originally claimed they believed Lucas was holding a knife.

However, on April 21, Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Debra Rusnak said a “full and fair investigation is underway as evidence collected thus far differs from initial accounts.”

Ambulance officials reacted after the grand jury's decision with 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.”