The death of Sonia Bray and the Columbus Fire Division's subsequent investigation of paramedics’ role have exposed weaknesses in the division’s ability to hold its employees accountable when they make mistakes.
The Dispatch found that the division’s investigation into why Bray died in early 2011 went dormant for nearly a year, that internal investigators were unwilling to ask necessary questions and that a turnover in investigators led to light punishments for two paramedics and a lieutenant.
In the end, the only people who really were punished are those who rely on emergency services and taxpayers, who are paying a $1.12 million lawsuit settlement.
Bray, 76, went into cardiac arrest after paramedics did little to help her for 25 minutes. Bray never regained consciousness and died a few days later in the hospital.
“I have several issues with the way the entire thing was handled from start to finish,” said George Speaks, the city’s public safety director. “The investigation needed to be better.”
Attorney Gerald Leeseberg, who represented Bray’s family in the wrongful death lawsuit against the city, said he was disturbed by the actions of paramedics and the division's weak reaction in the following 16-month investigation.
“The city has since been very cooperative and expressed regret and said it is trying to improve,” he said. “But if we wouldn’t have pressed this litigation, that wouldn’t be the case.”