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Ohio police probe death of Martinsville teenager
Billy Ray Harris
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
By BULLETIN STAFF REPORTS -
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation into the death of a Martinsville teenager who, according to the highway patrol, apparently jumped from a moving vehicle in southern Ohio.
Billy Ray Harris, 19, of Martinsville, died Friday, according to a death notice and a news release from the Chillicothe Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Harris’ cause of death will be determined by the Ross County (Ohio) Coroner’s Office, said Lt. Anne Ralston, commander of the Public Affairs Office with the highway patrol.
According to the news release, Harris was a passenger in a 2012 Peterbilt conventional truck being driven by Darryl Harris, 46, also of Martinsville, when the incident happened around 9:52 p.m. Friday.
Darryl Harris is Billy Harris’ father.
The truck was traveling eastbound on U.S. 35 in Union Township, Ross County, when Billy Harris “apparently jumped out of the passenger side of the moving vehicle onto U.S. 35,” the release said.
Harris “suffered serious injuries” and was taken by Union Township EMS to Adena Medical Center in Chillicothe, according to the release. He later was flown by Air-Evac to Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, where he was pronounced dead, the release said.
Ralston said she does not anticipate any updates in the case to be issued until the investigation has concluded.
Chase Inman, a close friend who is speaking on behalf of the Harris family, said family members want the community to know that Billy Harris’ death was “just a tragic accident.”
The family appreciates the support that has been shown by friends and community members, Inman said. Family members will have no further statements at this time, she added.
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