Johnny Smith
Johnny Smith was 48 and had worked in construction, though he was disabled. He was held in a private prisoner transport van travelling from Kentucky to Florida, and his doctor had warned that the trip carried a high risk of a serious medical event. Court records describe him falling from his seat during an apparent seizure in Philadelphia and asking guards for help, but the van kept driving, and he was found dead in the back of the van in Orange, Connecticut, on March 1, 2011. Orange police said he died of natural causes and declined to bring charges. A judge later found the transport company's gross negligence caused his death and awarded his children nearly $650,000, which the family has not collected.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). Orange police said he died of natural causes after apparently having a seizure, but a judge found the transport company's gross negligence caused his death after guards kept the van moving when he asked for help.
Reported by: Orange, Connecticut police; a judge in his family's lawsuit (court); his children's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His children sued the private transport company, and a judge found its gross negligence caused his death and awarded them nearly $650,000, which the family has not collected.