Oh Hell No: Woman Dies While Cop Writes Ticket

MEMPHIS, TN (AP) – A Memphis man who was driving his 83 year-old mother to a hospital says a Shelby County Sheriff’s deputy stopped him for an expired tag and did little to help as his mother died in the back seat of his car.

Wayne Ables says during an early March 12, 2009 traffic stop, the deputy refused to follow Ables to Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett and write the ticket there. The hospital was less than a mile away.

Instead, the deputy, whom the department has not identified, checked Ables’ license and insurance while calling an ambulance.

Ables said his mother Vernice Ables suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and stopped breathing during the traffic stop.

Published reports on Saturday, March 21, 2009 indicate the Sheriff’s Office is investigating and evaluating dash camera video.