A lawsuit is filed on behalf of a Meigs County woman who died in the back of a deputy’s vehicle last month.

On February 14th, the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office says Deputy Robert “RJ” Leonard accidentally took a wrong turn and drove into the River after arresting Tabitha Smith.

As the cruiser hit the water, Smith was handcuffed in the back seat and unable to free herself. Leonard’s body was found the next day in the river but not inside the patrol car.

The lawsuit was filed by Nathan Smith on behalf of his mother, Tabitha against the Meigs County Government and Deputy Leonard and alleges Leonard “was not properly trained by the County and his mother suffered a horrific death.”

The lawsuit requests a jury trial and $10 million in damages.