An Ohio father of two died after police say he was run over and dragged by a pickup truck driven by his ex-girlfriend's alleged attacker, authorities said.
Background
The confrontation occurred May 31 at a gas station on South High Street in Hillsboro, Highland County. According to court documents obtained by WXIX, Javen Meadows, 22, allegedly followed his ex-girlfriend to the Holtfield gas station before ramming her vehicle and then attacking her.
Police say Meadows approached the woman's vehicle, grabbed her by the throat, strangled her, and threw her to the ground. He was allegedly kicking and punching her when Billy Grooms intervened.
"He went to intervene and asked the boy to let her go," said Angela Osborn, Grooms' sister-in-law. "We're still trying to wrap our mind around the fact his life is gone for saving a young girl who was being strangled."
Grooms was at the gas station with his son when he stepped in to help the woman. After pulling Meadows off the victim, authorities say Meadows ran to his Ford F-150 pickup truck.
"He just went straight towards my husband and hit him and dragged him," said Amy Grooms, Billy's wife.
The Charges
Meadows has been charged with strangulation and assault in connection with the May 31 attack on his ex-girlfriend. He remains in custody as authorities continue their investigation into Grooms' death.
Grooms suffered multiple broken bones and a severe brain injury in the incident, according to authorities. He was airlifted to a local hospital and placed on life support before his family made the difficult decision to remove him last week.
"We were trying for hope," Amy Grooms said. "If we could try to intervene to stop the swelling, but then within days, he was declining."
Despite the tragedy, Grooms' heroic final act extended beyond the gas station: He donated his organs to at least five people following his death.
"I believe Billy was a hero," the ex-girlfriend said in a statement. "I believe his actions saved my life. I'll carry that gratitude with me forever."
Key Takeaways
- Billy Grooms, 39, died after police say he intervened to stop Javen Meadows from strangling his ex-girlfriend at an Ohio gas station
- Authorities allege Meadows then drove his Ford F-150 over Grooms and dragged him
- Grooms was placed on life support before his family removed him; he donated organs to at least five recipients
- Meadows faces charges of strangulation and assault related to the attack on his ex-girlfriend
- Grooms leaves behind a wife and two children, according to family members
What's Next
Meadows remains in custody facing charges. The investigation into the incident that led to Grooms' death is ongoing, with authorities working to determine whether additional charges will be filed.
"That's who Billy was," Amy Grooms said of her husband. "He wasn't a very social person, but the people that knew Billy knew he was compassionate; he cared."
"If he would have lived through this, I would have said, 'I love you, babe and you did what was right and what your heart wanted.' He would have stepped in for anybody."