Surveillance Video Shows Ambulance Run Over West Virginia Man Before Speeding Away

The family of John Lucas, 45, of Elkview, West Virginia, is disputing the initial account released by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office after Lucas was killed in an incident involving a Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority (KCEAA) vehicle. Surveillance video obtained by the family’s attorney and a private investigator from a nearby business shows the moment Lucas was run over by the ambulance before it sped away from the scene.

Incident Details According to Surveillance Footage

At approximately 2:00 a.m. On April 16, 2026, two female KCEAA employees observed a suspicious individual near their detachment in Elkview. The individual, later identified as John Curtis Lucas, was wearing what initially appeared to be a bathrobe but was later determined to be a trench coat. He was reportedly prowling around the area and believed to be holding a knife. Fearing for their safety, the EMS workers left the area.

As they traveled along Railroad Avenue near Tudor’s Biscuit World, Lucas allegedly ran from beside the building and leaped in front of their ambulance, landing on the hood of the vehicle while still believed to be armed. The surveillance video captures the ambulance striking Lucas and then departing the scene at speed.

Family’s Response and Official Statements

John Lucas’ father and sister shared the surveillance video with WCHS, stating that it contradicts the official narrative provided by authorities. The family is calling for accountability and justice in the wake of Lucas’ death, which has resulted in a traumatic brain injury.

According to KCEAA Executive Director Monica Mason, two EMS workers involved in the incident remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office has not released further details about the incident as of the time of reporting.

Investigation and Calls for Accountability

The incident has sparked growing questions and demands for transparency from the community and Lucas’ family. Advocates are urging a thorough investigation into the actions of the EMS personnel and the circumstances surrounding the use of emergency vehicles in such encounters.

The family’s legal team is working to ensure that the surveillance footage is properly considered in any official inquiry, emphasizing that the video provides critical evidence of the events that transpired in the early morning hours of April 16, 2026.

About the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority

The Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority (KCEAA) is responsible for providing emergency medical services throughout Kanawha County, West Virginia. The agency operates a fleet of ambulances and employs emergency medical technicians and paramedics to respond to medical emergencies and public safety incidents.