The Highway Patrol has said that the deadly accident involving a Pike County Sheriff’s deputy will be sent to the county prosecutor for review.
The Guardian was the first to report that a deadly accident occurred last month involving Corporal Adam Ball while he was in his county-issued Sheriff’s truck. Ball collided with an elderly man, John Rigsby, 84, who died at Grant Medical Center after the crash.
The accident occurred in the middle of June, however, Rigsby was awake and talking at the scene. He was transported to Adena Pike Hospital and later transferred to Grant Medical Center in Columbus. It was there, at the trauma hospital where Rigsby’s condition would worsen; he passed away last week as a result of a brain injury sustained in the crash.
Ball — who is primarily assigned to the Sheriff’s evidence collection team — was responding with lights and sirens to a call when he hit Rigsby at the intersection of route 220 and Zahn Street in Piketon, according to troopers. The Highway Patrol said that Ball was coming up from behind Rigsby at the intersection and that Rigsby did not see or hear the Sheriff truck. Rigsby turned left and was struck broadsided by Ball.
“We are in the process of gathering additional information. At that point, the entire crash report will be forwarded to the Pike County Prosecutor,” said Lieutenant Tim Karwatske, the patrol’s area commander.
Rigsby’s family said they want answers.
“We are very saddened that a man’s life was taken that most likely could have been prevented. We were also disappointed that our family didn’t receive a call, follow-up, or any kind of condolences from the Sheriff’s department,” said Mindy Williamson, a family member and spokeswoman for the Rigsby family. “We don’t hold any grudges and understand that no ill was meant to be done by this accident. However, even law enforcement — especially law enforcement — has to use the utmost care and awareness while in pursuit or driving at high speeds. There have been numerous people throughout town outraged at the high speeds they continue to drive through residential areas. We would like to see some training or retraining on this aspect from the department in the future or else John’s death won’t be the only one.”
The Pike County Sheriff did not return requests for comment.
The crash report will now make its way to Pike County Prosecutor Rob Junk for possible charges.