Local News Articles

A Putnam County man, seriously injured in a traffic accident over a year ago, has filed a federal court lawsuit against DeKalb County and the previous Sheriff's administration claiming he was detained more than 15 hours as a prisoner at the jail without receiving proper medical care.

Daniel Lloyd Billings has named as defendants, DeKalb County; former Sheriff Lloyd Emmons, individually and officially; Adam West, individually and officially; Samantha Young, individually and officially; Thomas Southworth, individually and officially; and John Does # 1 to #3, individually and officially.

West, Young, and Southworth were all employees of the Sheriff's Department at the time of the incident and the John Doe defendants are other unidentified Sheriff's Department and or DeKalb County employees who were working at the county jail facility during Billings' detention.

The defendants have not yet had a chance to file an answer to the complaint.

The lawsuit states that \"On or about November 13th, 2005, while Billings was driving his car, the vehicle left the road and hit a tree on Backbone Road in DeKalb County.\"

\"Billings' car sustained extensive front end damage, the steering wheel was broken by the impact of Billings' chest, and he was pinned in the car for some period of time.\"

\"DeKalb County Sheriff's deputies, a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer, and a DeKalb County ambulance arrived at the scene of the accident.\"

\"Although it was apparent that Billings had been injured in the accident, the ambulance left the scene without rendering treatment.\"

\"Billings was arrested by the highway patrol officer at the scene under suspicion of DUI and he was taken to the DeKalb County Jail. Billings was turned over to the exclusive custody and control of the Sheriff's Department and it's employees and officials at or around 9:00 p.m. on November 13th, 2005.\"

The lawsuit alleges that \"the jail intake officer, Samantha Young, was aware, from Billings' physical condition and statements he made during his initial intake, that he had suffered serious injuries in the accident and was in need of immediate medical attention. Despite being given actual notice by Billings of his need for immediate medical treatment and her own observations of his physical condition, Young failed to seek prompt or proper medical attention to Billings' serious medical needs and instead placed him in a jail cell with another detainee in an exhibition of deliberate indifference to his plight.\"

\"Billings was physically sick, vomiting blood and was unable to rise up off the floor, and it was readily apparent to his cell mate that Billings was seriously hurt and was in need of immediate medical attention.\"

\"Billings' cell mate immediately informed jail officials, including Adam West, of Billings' condition and his need for assistance but was told that Billings had refused treatment at the scene of the accident.\"

\"After continuing to observe Billings' vomiting blood and his other physical difficulties, Billings' cell mate repeatedly banged on his cell door, yelled out that someone needed to get Billings medical help, and talked with West 3 to 4 times about Billings' need to go to the hospital. Despite his own observations and being placed on actual notice of the need for immediate medical treatment, West exhibited deliberate indifference to Billings' plight. Finally, some two hours later, West responded that he was waiting for the Tennessee Highway Patrol officer to come back to the jail, and to read his warrants.\"

\"During this time, Billings again personally complained to jail officials about his injuries and need for medical help, but to no avail.\"

\"After more than 12 hours of incarceration in the DeKalb County Jail, Billings was finally removed from his cell, but his release was delayed an additional two hours or more in the release bond process, so that he was not freed from the exclusive custody or control of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department until approximately noon on November 14th, some 15 hours after his arrest.\"

The lawsuit states that \"the defendants, and each of them, were aware of the physical condition of Billings and that he was at serious risk of substantial harm from his medical condition, yet disregarded this risk and took no prompt or reasonable measures to abate the risk of harm from his injuries.\"

\"Upon his release from the jail, Billings was immediately taken to the DeKalb County hospital, by family members rather than jail officials. He was in respiratory distress, and his condition was so serious that he was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center by ambulance. A physical examination of Billings disclosed that he had multiple rib fractures, chest wall contusions, pulmonary collapse, a pseudo aneurysm, a C2 laminar fracture of his neck, free blood within the pelvis, and a lacerated spleen with active bleeding. All these injuries were suffered in the car accident occurring some 15 hours before.\"

\"As a direct and proximate result of the delay in receiving medical treatment, Billings' serious medical injuries were exacerbated, his wound became infected, and necrosis set in requiring extended hospitalization and multiple surgeries which are continuing to this day.\"

\"Billings has suffered serious personal injury from which he has not fully recovered. Billings has incurred and continues to incur medical bills and expenses believed to be in excess of $500,0000 and has lost wages, income and potential for income that he would have otherwise earned had his medical situation been promptly addressed. In addition, Billings seeks to recover for his pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, mental and emotional distress, past and future medical and related expenses, lost earning capacity, permanent physical impairment and all other damages permitted by law including, in the appropriate case and under the appropriate theory, the recovery of such punitive damages as a jury may allow.\"

Billings wants the case tried before a 12 member jury panel.

A total of twenty four people were indicted by the December term of the DeKalb County Grand Jury Monday and Tuesday including one in a sealed indictment.

All those indicted will appear for arraignment in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday, December 18th

19 year old Joshua James Kneer of 313 Park Street, Syracuse New York was arrested Wednesday on a sealed indictment charging him with vehicular homicide by intoxication, vehicular homicide (recklessness), driving under the influence, and driving on a suspended license. His bond is set at $100,000.

Kneer was also indicted on a separate charge of driving while suspended

Others indicted and their charges are as follows:

Ricky Allen Ashford, Sr.- aggravated burglary and theft over $1,000

Matthew M. Lawson- forgery (4 counts) and passing a forged instrument (4 counts)

William David Arendall and Sherry Cook- aggravated burglary (9 counts) and theft over $1,000

Larry J. Keaton- driving while revoked (3rd offense)

Andrew L. Hutchens and Justin M. Cripps- aggravated burglary and theft over $1,000

Sherry Diane Cook- driving while revoked (7th offense) and possession of paraphernalia

Paul J. Comer- evading arrest with a motor vehicle, driving under the influence, and violation of the implied consent law

David Michael Kemper- driving under the influence (2nd offense), driving on a revoked license (2nd offense), violation of the implied consent law, and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage.

Kevin D. Eldridge- driving while suspended (7th offense)

Brian D. Thomason- aggravated burglary, burglary of an auto (4 counts), and vandalism under $500

Barbara Self- assault

Lavar Kinte Bass- assault

Hope Tarpley- theft over $1,000

Clarence Bradley Trapp- domestic assault

Kevin D. Eldridge- driving while suspended (7th offense) and violation of the financial responsibility law

Rhonda F. Brewer- driving while suspended and criminal impersonation

William R. Cantrell-evading arrest and possession of paraphernalia

Victor Perez Garcia- speeding, no drivers license, and violation of the financial responsibility law.

Jose L. Padilla Vazquez- driving under the influence and DUI per se

Julio C. Rico- driving under the influence (2nd offense), DUI per se, and illegal consumption

Raymond Dean Martin-simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance

Richard B. Turner- theft under $500

Dale Andrew Buck- driving under the influence, simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, violation of the implied consent law, and violation of the financial responsibility law.

An 18 year old DeKalb County man died Thursday night at Vanderbilt Hospital from injuries he received in a one vehicle traffic accident Thursday afternoon on Bright Hill Road.

Dead is Matthew Bates of Page Drive, Smithville.

Sergeant Billy Prater of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says Bates was a passenger of a 1988 GMC Jimmy, driven by 18 year old Joshua Puckett of Four Seasons Road, Smithville. The accident occurred around 12:50 p.m. Thursday about four-tenths of a mile north of Hooper Road on Bright Hill Road.

Sergeant Prater says Puckett was driving toward town and was negotiating a curve when the vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway, began to rotate, traveled up a grass embankment, and then overturned. The vehicle came to rest in the west ditchline of Bright Hill Road facing south. Both Puckett and Bates were ejected. Neither was wearing a seatbelt.

Puckett and Bates were taken by DeKalb EMS from the scene to meet a Vandy Life Flight helicopter ambulance and were flown to Vanderbilt Hospital.

Sergeant Prater was assisted at the scene by Trooper Brian Raymond of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department, EMS, and DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Fighters.

Hundreds turned out on a bright sunny afternoon for the Alexandria Christmas Parade Saturday.

The parade featured seasonal floats, the DCHS band, vintage automobiles, and of course, Santa Claus, among many other entries.

Phil Jones of NewsChannel 5 flew to town in the Sky 5 helicopter and he served as Grand Marshal of the Parade.

The West Main Baptist Church of Alexandria took first place among the parade entries. The Alexandria First Baptist Church received second place and Mason Carter's antique tractor took third place.

Many people also won drawings for cash, country hams, bicycles, and a $100 savings bond after the parade.