Leroy Eugene Davis Obituary, Death; New information has surfaced regarding the investigation of an assisted living facility in Lee County, following the tragic incident in September where a 74-year-old resident was fatally struck by two vehicles.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has published new documents that clarify the events surrounding the morning of Leroy Eugene Davis’ death.
Davis, who resided at Cottonwood Villas, was hit by a tractor-trailer and another unidentified vehicle while he was walking along Highway 15 in Bishopville on September 23. The investigation revealed that Davis had left the facility early that morning without the staff’s awareness. When law enforcement arrived at the facility approximately an hour after the incident, the staff members were unaware that Davis was missing.
The DPH report also identified several violations at Cottonwood Villas, including a lack of proper care. One specific violation noted was the failure to administer a necessary medication. A staff member acknowledged neglecting to give a required injection to a resident, even though the medication was available at the time of the investigation.
Additionally, the report disclosed that the DPH had initiated the process of revoking Cottonwood Villas’ license prior to Davis’ death. The facility informed News19 of their intention to contest the license revocation; however, the department confirmed that it had not received any official appeal documentation from the facility.
At the time of the investigation, there were fewer than 10 residents remaining at Cottonwood Villas, which had previously accommodated 64 individuals. Various agencies, including the Department of Social Services (DSS), have been involved in assisting with the relocation of the remaining residents.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate the incident. As of now, the agency has not identified the second vehicle that was involved in the crash that resulted in Davis’ death.
