SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Wednesday that a Clark County grand jury declined to indict a Springfield police officer for running over a man last year.
“The grand jury determined that the incident surrounding Mr. Cole’s death was tragic, but not criminal,” Yost said. “Anytime a person dies following a law enforcement interaction, it is critical that information be publicly available so that our communities can trust the process. For complete transparency, the entire investigative file is now on our website for anyone to see.”
Eric Cole, 42, died the day after Officer Amanda Rosales ran him over on June 13, 2021. Documents state the officer was responding to an emergency call on South Center Boulevard in Springfield.
Cole had been shot in a previous altercation and was lying in the road when Rosales drove over him, according to documents. The grand jury declined to indict Rosales.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated the traffic incident and the Springfield Division of Police investigated the shooting.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Special Prosecution section was appointed to present the case to the grand jury.
Investigation files are available on the Attorney General’s website. The site archives case files for officer-involved critical incidents only after a case is closed per state law to ensure a fair investigation and judicial process.
Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck released a statement in a news release on Wednesday stating he respects the grand jury’s decision.
“We hope that Tuesday’s proceeding will lead our community further along in the healing process,” Heck wrote. “The Springfield Police Division will integrate the Ohio Attorney General’s investigative findings into its own internal probe, which has been ongoing since the accident last year.”
Heck said in the statement that Cole’s family remains in his thoughts and prayers.
“We call on the community to respect their privacy in the wake of Tuesday’s grand jury conclusion,” Heck said. “The City of Springfield remains committed to the safety of everyone in our community, as we aspire to provide the highest standard of service to the public at all times.”
This morning’s press conference announcing the grand jury’s decision is archived on the AG’s Facebook pages.
