An Ohio family is mourning the devastating loss of Billy Grooms, a 49-year-old father of three who died after allegedly being run over while attempting to stop an assault at a gas station in the city of Hillsboro.
What began as an ordinary night out with his son reportedly turned into a tragic act of courage that would ultimately cost him his life, per multiple local media outlets in Ohio this week.
According to reports, the incident unfolded in the early morning hours of May 31 when Grooms and his son allegedly witnessed a young woman being violently attacked. Authorities say Grooms stepped in after seeing the woman being strangled, attempting to stop the assault and protect her from further harm. Unfortunately, once Grooms stepped in, he was allegedly ran over by the woman’s assailant in a truck.
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The injuries Grooms suffered were catastrophic. He was rushed to the hospital with multiple broken bones and a severe brain injury, per Fox 19 News and others. His loved ones held onto hope during the days that followed, but the situation reportedly continued to worsen into this week.
His wife Amy shared the painful reality her family was facing, telling the news outlet:
“We were trying for hope. If we could try to intervene to stop the swelling, but then within days, he was declining.”
Sadly, Grooms was taken off life support on Thursday and died from his injuries.
According to court records cited by local reports, 22-year-old Javen Meadows has been charged with strangulation and assault in connection with the attack on the woman. Authorities allege that after arriving at the gas station, Meadows became involved in a violent confrontation, during which the woman was allegedly thrown to the ground, kicked, and punched. And that, investigators, say, is when Grooms was run over while trying to intervene to save her.
Now, officials have indicated that additional charges remain under consideration following Grooms’ death, per Fox 19 News.
The woman who was attacked has since spoken publicly about Grooms coming to her aid, describing him as nothing less than a hero. She said:
“I believe his actions saved my life. I’ll carry that gratitude with me forever.”
Wow. In a moment of terror, when someone desperately needed help, Grooms chose to act. While many people might fear getting involved in a dangerous situation, he stepped forward.
Now, his family is still struggling to process the loss, as his sister-in-law Angela Osborn explained:
“We’re still trying to wrap our minds around the fact that his life is gone for saving a young girl who was being strangled.”
Even amid unimaginable grief, there is another part of Grooms’ story that speaks to the kind of person his loved ones say he was. Following his death, his organs are set to be donated, giving others a chance at life.
Osborn reflected on that legacy by saying:
“He has just been that person to save as many people as he can — and he’s going to continue to by these organ donations.”
Meanwhile, a fundraiser established to help support Grooms’ family has received tens of thousands of dollars in donations from people touched by his story. You can view it HERE.
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This entire situation is simply heartbreaking. A family has lost a husband, father, and loved one. A woman under attack says she is alive because of his actions. And a community is left remembering a man whose final act was trying to protect someone else.
Our thoughts are with Billy Grooms’ family, friends, and everyone affected by this tragic loss.
[Image via GoFundMe]