DUI charge might have been a stroke

An elderly Jefferson man recently charged with DUI following a minor traffic accident may have had a stroke that caused the wreck. He died a week later and now family and friends are questioning the protocol of the authorities that arrested him. Troy David Allen, 76, was arrested by Jefferson Police on Oct. 9 after crashing his car near the intersection of Lynn Avenue and Cobb Street in Jefferson, according to a Jefferson Police Department incident report. After refusing medical treatment from an ambulance that was called to the scene by a JPD officer, Allen was subsequently arrested after submitting to, but not completing a field sobriety test. Although the officer didn’t smell alcohol on Allen’s breath, he wasn’t able to keep his head up during the test. Determining that he was a “less safe driver,” the officer took Allen to the hospital to collect a blood sample and then took him to jail.
After Allen was bailed out of jail by the pastor of his church, his condition worsened and he died a week later. Allen’s 50-year-old stepson Bobby Whitfield and his widowed mother say it is ‘hard to put closure on’ his stepfather’s unexpected death. A friend of Allen’s contacted The Jackson Herald looking for an explanation of what happened, saying that Allen “was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital where he died approximately 24 hours later due to complications from the stroke he had the day of the accident but was never treated for.” In the email, the friend asks, “Does this seem right? We are basically in shock that the Jefferson PD offered no apology or anything. Their only comment was we followed procedure.”
For the full story, see the Oct. 31 issue of The Jackson Herald.

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#1 sv on 10/31/12 at 12:45 PM [Reply]

How sad, what hospital was he taken to that did not have the skills to notice this "elderely" man was having symptoms of a stroke?

#1.1 Dexter Sims on 10/31/12 at 05:44 PM [Reply]

Now let's be fair here. The article said that the Officer called for an ambulance. The EMT's should have notice the signs of a stroke. Let's not fault the Officer here. It's very sad about Mr. Allen and we pray GOD's peace for his family, but we should not condemn the police officers in this incident.

#2 well on 10/31/12 at 01:20 PM [Reply]

how sad police cant be trained to deal with Deaf motorist anymore, persons having strokes and diabetic issues always looking for the money not for both motorist and other peoples safety just the dollar. more wrecks are caused by TiRED drivers then intoxicated drivers. unfourtunatly most police are just after being top dog in their place of work hotdog rather then making folks aware and safe its about how much money or tickets a officer can gleen from the motoring victims

#2.1 Suasn Joiner on 10/31/12 at 06:19 PM [Reply]

MY son spent 3 years in prison due an accident he was not respondible for, due to the misunderstandings, of officer an the law, the person that caused the accident got away, he/they were known as ileagals. How do you think we feel toward this? Not good!! The man never should have died!!

#3 Michael McCarthy on 10/31/12 at 03:28 PM [Reply]

Police are trained like dogs. They no longer have the ability to give warnings. Everything is by the book, even if it kills an innocent citizen. They are trained to be bullies and they do a good job with that. And congratulations, you followed procedure you imbicile.

#3.1 look in the mirror on 11/01/12 at 07:54 AM [Reply]

Hey Michael
Look in the mirror to see the real imbecile here. I suppose if this gentleman had hit another car or child resulting in their death you'd feel the same way? I doubt it. Thannkfully no one was injured or killed by this dangerous driving. The JPD officer followed proper procedures. This gentleman was seen by multiple people including his family the night he was bonded out of jail. The JPD officer called the EMS unit and the gentleman refused further treatment and for that the police take the blame? Sounds like you'll fallen of the wagon there Mike. You're just looking for an excuse to spew your vile nonesense. I think most of us that follow this blog find your foolish rant disgusting, irritating and offensive. Most of us law abiding citizens are very thankful for the excellent job our police department and EMS services perform each day and night.

#3.1.1 Michael McCarthy on 11/01/12 at 11:44 AM [Reply]

Of course you followed procedures. You followed the procedures of apprehending a dangerous criminal, not a sick old man. You guys are like cavemen, no sensitivity.

#4 JustPlainOldBob on 10/31/12 at 04:55 PM [Reply]

Stroke, and certain kinds of seizures can be misunderstood. Hope all turns out well. One no one knows when a medical emergency will hit out of the clear blue sky.

God speed.

#4.1 Idiocy on 11/01/12 at 08:13 AM [Reply]

According to the story, it didn't turn out well. The guy died. Your comment was inane.

#4.1.1 look in the mirror on 11/01/12 at 09:15 AM [Reply]

It's idiocy to try to pin any blame on the JPD and idiocy to insinuate any wrongful actions on them or the EMS unit that responded. But then again those complaining and pointing fingers are just following the lead of our POTUS who won't take any personal responsibility for anything unless it benefits him personally.

#5 HMMMMMMMMMMMMM on 10/31/12 at 06:57 PM [Reply]

Wow Michael McCarthy, Nothing like NOT READING THE STORY. He it clearly says he was arrested, bonded out and died a WEEK LATER. EMS didnt notice the signs of a stoke, I didnt see you BI**H about them, THe Hospital didn't either...Still nothing out of your mouth about them.

So lets get this straight(your view) the cop is wrong for not noticing a stroke but your fine that the TRAINED MEDICAL PERSONAL that came in contact with him didn't notice the signs of a stroke....Does that about sum it up?
dang nothing like a cop hating person(but I bet he wouldnt have the BA*LS to put on a uniform and do the job).

#5.1 Michael McCarthy on 11/01/12 at 03:49 AM [Reply]

He was probably sitting in handcuffs waiting for his blood test. He was not at the hospital to be evaluated. You may be right about EMS missing it.

There has been a number of deaths recently associated with Jackson County law enforcement. (Including the cities.)

The war on drugs has become the war on citizens, including old guys having a stroke.

#5.1.1 Huh on 11/01/12 at 01:05 PM [Reply]

If the officer did not smell alcohol then he did not have probable cause to arrest for DUI. Also, why did he attempt field sobriety evaluations? You do not do the evaluations on someone of that age and someone who was involved in a wreck!! What did the gentlemen's pupils look like?? Seems to me someone is not well versed in the DUI field. This will get interesting......

#5.1.1.1 Field Sobierity test??? on 11/01/12 at 03:20 PM [Reply]

your kidding right, even SOBER people seem not to pass those... two things, one they are designed to give reason to lead to blood or urine or breath test, and the other they are subject to interpetation by someone whose interest is in writing tickets not keeping us safe, the more borderline and line tickets the better. sorry the bull crap roadside test are just part of the ruse.....

#5.1.1.2 Enough is Enough!! on 11/02/12 at 04:55 PM [Reply]

It's sad this guy lost his life, but you can not put the blame on the JPD officer. When God is ready to call you home, it's your time; doesn't matter where you are or what you're doing.

I have no idea who this officer is, but I would like to say THANK YOU for doing your job!! We can not blame anyone for this lost.

If he's 76 years old and means so much to the family, then why are they letting him out to drive putting my family in danger? The family should be thankful he didn't hurt anyone.

I am also sure it’s more to it than what’s being reported. The officer doesn’t have to smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the driver’s breath to charge them with DUI.
This guy was on several different types of medications and if you read Georgia Law 40-6-391 (DUI) you will find your answer, which states the following:

A person shall not drive or be in actual physical control of any moving vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or under the intentional influence of any glue, aerosol, or other toxic vapor to THE EXTENT THAT IT IS LESS SAFE FOR THE PERSON TO DRIVE . Obviously this guy was less safe because he crashed his vehicle. Again, good job officer for doing your job!!

We can’t point fingers at anyone about this incident. He had the opportunity to go to the hospital when EMS personnel were there, but yet he refused!! The officer took this LESS SAFE driver off the streets and prevented him from hurting himself and anyone else. GOOD JOB… Now, it wasn’t until a week later his condition worsened and he passed away. He could have gone to the doctor or hospital in that week from the symptoms he was probably having, but he didn’t.

I understand it’s hard for the stepson and his widowed mother to have closure for this unexpected death. I think we ALL do when we lose a love one…….I use to get upset and wonder why people died unexpectedly but as I grew up and matured, I found by reading the Bible you will know why.

People let’s stop this nonsense and stop bashing the JPD officer for something he had no control over!! I commend police officers for risking their lives each day for our protection and well being.

So for the friend who asked, “Does this seem right?” YES…. It does seem right and I’m sure the officer is sorry for the lost of your friend, but why should he apologize for doing his job. If anything, you should be THANKING him for helping your friend. This could have gone the other direction and the family getting sued by someone that Mr. Allen killed due to his LESS SAFE driving. The laws need to change to keep the elderly over a certain age from driving.

If this JPD officer is reading these ridiculous comments, please ignore them. There are a few of us out here that appreciate you and the JPD for what you’re doing for our community.

My prayers go out to this family, but don’t point fingers because you have three more pointing back at you. I am saddened for the lost of your love one.

#5.1.2 D. Davis on 11/02/12 at 11:16 AM [Reply]

You are so right. The "war on drugs" was lost before it began and has been little more than a black hole for our tax dollars and a justification for police brutality. In fact, I surprised JPD didn't bring out the K9 and search his car while they were at it. Never know what a senior citizen might be concealing after all! Got to keep the community safe right? (sic)

#6 Medic on 10/31/12 at 08:20 PM [Reply]

People under the influence of ETOH/drugs and a stroke have the same symptoms.
?Questions?
Did blood work come back clean?
Why did the family wait a week to take Mr Allen to the hospital if he remained ill?
How do we know he had a stroke the day of the accident?

Prayers go out to his family.

#7 Blame game on 11/02/12 at 06:16 AM [Reply]

At this point the family is looking for someone to blame.

Once he was released from police custody he is no longer their responsibility. It's the fault of the family for not seeking medical attention for this man.

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