Air-Vac to Waive $30,000 Rescue Chopper Bill to County for Murder Suspect – Video
May 21st, 2014 by Sarah Spencer
Judge Robert Akin announced at Monday night’s Quorum Court meeting that Air-Evac will not pursue payment from Drew County for the helicopter transport of a wounded murder suspect from Drew Memorial Hospital to Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff. The med-flight was the result of a police-involved shooting incident that took the life of Samantha Poole on Friday evening, March 14, in the vicinity of Save-A-Lot and Trotter Street.
The suspect, Jonathan Woods, sustained a gunshot wound when he allegedly shot at a law enforcement officer during his apprehension.
An Air-Evac rescue helicopter was called to transport Ms. Poole to JRMC, but she was deceased before the flight arrived. Woods, whose injuries were non-life-threatening, was air-lifted to JRMC on the flight instead. The question arose as to who authorized the change of patients for the transport.
The county was initially billed $45,000 for the transport. That amount was later reduced to $25,00. Now, Air-Evac has decided they will not pursue payment from the county.
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