Print |
E-mail to a friend
ZZUNUSED
Questions remain in dragging death
Family, friends and community members march down South 9th Street in Ironton on Monday during a candlelight vigil to honor Guy Thomas, who died after being struck by an Ironton police cruiser.
Purchase this photoRelated:
IRONTON -- It still wasn't known Monday how the body of an Ironton man could have been dragged for nearly a mile along snow- and ice-covered city streets Saturday night under an Ironton police cruiser without the officer knowing it.
The victim was identified Monday as Guy Thomas, 46, of 914 S. 9th St., said Ironton Police Chief Jim Carey.
The officer was identified as Richard Fouts, 27, who has been placed on administrative leave until the matter is investigated by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Identification. Fouts has been on the police force for two months, Carey said.
"This was a tragic thing," Carey said Monday afternoon during a press conference. "(Fouts is) devastated," Carey said, adding that Fouts is in shock and is suffering.
At least one member of Thomas' family said they're concerned the incident was more than an accident.
"You just don't drag anybody 10 blocks and not know about it," Horace Miller, an uncle of Thomas, said.
The body has been taken to the Franklin County Coroner's office in Columbus for an autopsy. The autopsy is set for 8 a.m. today. Capt. Chris Bowman of the Ironton Police Department has asked to be there for the autopsy.
Lawrence County Coroner Burton Payne said there were was no obvious cause of death. "There were some bruises and burns," he said. "We hope to get a preliminary report later this week."
Mary Lou Thomas, another Ironton resident who isn't related to the victim, also called for a serious investigation into the death.
"I think they're testing the wrong person," she said. "I think it really needs to be looked into."
Alcohol and drug testing was done on Fouts, but the results aren't yet available, Carey said. "There was nothing to indicate he was under the influence," he said.
Carey said BCI is handling the investigation. One of the investigating officers is Shane Hanshaw, a former detective with the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department. Once the investigation is complete, the information will be turned over to Lawrence County Prosecutor J.B. Collier Jr.
Authorities believe Thomas was on his way home from the American Legion in the 700 block of Quincy Street about 10 p.m. Saturday, Carey said. Footprints in the snow show Thomas entered the roadway at South 9th and Jefferson when he was struck by the police cruiser.
Fouts was driving his cruiser to the police station to begin the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift.
Carey said he hasn't talked to Fouts but has seen a statement the officer gave to BCI. "It looks like he didn't know he had hit the victim," Carey said.
Fouts saw the body after he got out of the cruiser and was heading into the police station, Carey said. The body was near the back of the cruiser, he said.
Carey said there is a street light at 9th and Jefferson, but it isn't on all the time. City streets were generally snow-covered Saturday night, he said.
Authorities don't know how Thomas got under the cruiser. BCI has taken the cruiser as part of the investigation and is processing it, Carey said.
There were no police cameras on the cruiser, Carey said.
"We don't know why he was in the roadway," Carey said. Authorities also don't know if Thomas was standing or lying in the road when he was caught under the cruiser, he said.
