Chapel Hill football player Atlas Fraley died after EMS assistance resulting in a wrongful death suit filed by David and Malinda Fraley, Atlas Fraley's parents.
Atlas Fraley, 17, called for emergency assistance on August 12, 2008. James Griffin, Orange County's EMS responder, arrived and evaluted Fraley for only 16 minutes then left. By the time his parents arrived home Atlas Fraley was dead on the living room floor.
What happened on August 12, 2008?
Atlas Fraley participated in a football scrimmage at Middle Creek School in Apex during the hot day in mid August. Following the scrimmage he went home. His parents were working and not there at that time. Fraley experienced cramps enough to be concerned, he dialed 911.
Atlas Fraley's 911 call: "Yes, this is an emergency. I am having full body cramps. I think I need an IV or something. My body is hurting all over. I just came from football practice and I think I need an IV or something."
According to the 911 calling logs Atlas then told the 911 dispatcher that the cramps were throughout his body following the dispatcher's question.
When asked about taking any medications during the emergency call Fraley answered that he usually took Albuterol for asthma but that his symptoms were not signs of an asthma attack, more of dehydration. Atlas again requested an IV due to his belief that he was suffering from dehydration.
Medic2 was given the duty to assist the emergency call. Medic2 only had one responder, James Griffin. Griffin arrived at 1:54 p.m. and left 16 minutes later at 2:10 p.m. on August 12, 2008. One responder at just 16 minutes, a questionable evaluation.
Atlas Fraley rated his cramp pains at 7 on a scale from 1 to 10 with 10 being aggressively severe. Atlas explained muscle pains in arms, legs, and abdomen. Fraley's pains were so bad he could not sit still nor stand still. Fraley was noted as asking for an IV and when the pain would subside. Fraley's blood pressure was 134/102 with 92 beats per minute while standing as noted by Griffin.
Griffin's report reflects Orthostatics were not performed along with no ECG, and no temperature taken.
In conclusion Atlas Fraley was not taken to an area hospital for further evaluation nor did Griffin believe it was serious. But there's one thing missing, Atlas Fraley's age.
Atlas Fraley was only 17-years-old. Griffin stated that he tried to contact Fraley's parents before his departure. However, no records according to Fraley's parents phones indicates that a call had been made to either one of them by Griffin, including no sign of a message.
Within those 16 minutes of services Griffin decided to have Atlas Fraley sign the declination form.
At 2:16 Griffin was back at his base facility, only 22 minutes after arriving at Atlas Fraley's home.
When David and Malinda Fraley returned from work they found their son unresponsive and not breathing on the living room floor. Fraley's father began CPR as his mother dialed 911 at 6:33 p.m. on August 12, 2008. Atlas Fraley was dead at age 17.
The autopsy resulted in more questions than answers suggesting that Fraley's past cramping and other symptoms in combination to dehydration may have led to a fatal cardiac event or even an acute asthmatic attack. You can view the autopsy report via Wral. However, nothing was written in stone as to the cause.
During this sad moment in North Carolina many remember the loss of Atlas Fraley. Atlas was loved by his family, friends, and his teammates.
Dovonte Edwards of Detroit Lions will never forget the dream of his little cousin, Atlas Fraley.
"He was like my little brother. I know his dream was to grow up and probably play professional football - his dream. Every time I go out on that field, he's going to be with me in some form or fashion." - Dovonte Edwards / 2008
Atlas Fraley was noted as being 6'1'' weighing in at 254 lbs. In a 2007 roster Fraley's height was reportedly 6'2'. Either way, Atlas was fit to be an O.G. and D.T. on any team. As a Chapel Hill football player he recorded a 5.0/second time for the 40 yd. dash. He even had his college picks lined up. But in one day it was all over with.
David Fraley said it best. "They just left him there by himself. He was just a child."
Atlas Fraley's parents filed a wrongful death suit against Orange County, Orange County EMS, and Orange County's EMS responder James Griffin on January 27, 2010.
What are they asking?
Compensatory damages determined by a jury, lawyer fees paid, and any other relief the courts deem as just.
Twiggs, Beskind, Strickland, and Rabenau, P.A. are the attorneys on behalf of David and Malinda Fraley.
You can view the this wrongful death suit document as supplied by Wral.
For a 2008 report visit Emergency Services Claim A Teen Victim.
_________
Atlas Fraley's good friend and teammate, Rodney Torain, was also a Chapel Hill football player that died a couple of months following Atlas Fraley's death. However, the story behind Rodney Torain's death had nothing to do with the Orange County EMS.
Rodney fell victim to one of the most unusual devious acts another driver could commit on human life resulting in Torain's brain injury leading towards the death of Rodney Torain.
For that story visit Rodney Torain Death: Rodney & Atlas Reunite Once Again.
_________
Source(s):
Self-Source
http://www.wral.com/asset/news/local/2010/02/06/6976919/wrongfuldeath.pdf
http://www.wral.com/asset/news/local/2009/03/18/4763195/Autopsy.swf
Comments
Wow, disturbing report. In NY, regardless of the complaint, if a minor is the subject of a medical call and a parent isn't on the scene...it is a must transport to the ER. A cop will accompany the minor until a proper notification is made to a guardian. Sad/tragic event for the Fraley family.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!