Man Dies Following Incident with Ambulance in Elkview

Man Dies Following Incident with Ambulance in Elkview

ELKVIEW, WV – At approximately 2:15 a.m. on April 16, 2026, two female Kanawha County EMS employees observed a suspicious individual near their detachment in Elkview.

The employees observed a male, later identified as John Curtis Lucas, 45 of Clendenin, wearing what initially appeared to be a bathrobe but was later determined to be a trench coat. The male was reportedly prowling around the area and was 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, the male 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 EMS workers continued driving, at which point the male fell from the vehicle. They then contacted Metro 911.

Deputies with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area and located Lucas laying along U.S. Route 119.

Lucas was found in critical condition and was transported to a local hospital by emergency medical personnel, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

This incident remains under active investigation by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office