Family and friends of a man who led law enforcement on a pursuit that resulted in two police officers getting hurt says jail guards are refusing to give him life-sustaining medical care; the Sheriff says that allegation is false.
Roger Woods, a convicted felon out on parole, led officers and deputies on a two-county chase two weeks ago that started after a Washington Court House police officer recognized Woods driving a car and as someone who did not have a drivers license and had a warrant.
Once in Pickaway County, Woods drove into a field where officers followed; that’s when two of them got hurt. While three of the city officers were chasing, two did not see a ditch in the field and wrecked their cars at high-speeds.
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Both officers sustained serious injuries that were non-life threatening. One was flown from the scene to Grant Medical in Columbus while the other was taken by ambulance to an area hospital. The police department posted online that both officers are going to be okay.
Woods, however, is not going to be okay, people close to him say.
“Roger is dying of liver failure. He is also a diabetic with a huge hernia in his groin area,” said family friend Lindsay Lemons. “The chase all started because of a warrant. His thoughts were that he had hoped for one last Christmas with his children that obviously didn’t happen.”
Lemons said that the jail is not giving Woods his medicine and insulin, but Fayette County Sheriff Vernon P. Stanforth says that simply is not true.
“He is getting medication as prescribe and sees the jail nurse on a regular basis,” the Sheriff told the Guardian on Friday.
Lemons, however, said she and others close to Woods would like to see him moved to a different jail.
“As of now, Roger seems to be doing okay. His spirits drift back and forth day by day…. [moving him to another jail] may be the best resolution. I’m sure by now they have been back and forth at each other and that may be less stressful on all parties.”
Woods is charged with failure to stop for a police officer, driving without a license, tinted windows, and a parole violation.
