Newly released body camera footage reveals the arrest of Jeffrey Atkinson, a 55-year-old Ohio man accused of striking a 9-year-old girl with his SUV and dragging her for a significant distance. The incident occurred on July 22nd in Dayton, Ohio, when Atkinson allegedly turned into a crosswalk, hitting 9-year-old Ashley Escalon.
Instead of stopping, Atkinson continued driving for almost half a mile with the young girl still entangled with the vehicle. Escalon remains hospitalized as she recovers from her injuries. Dayton police apprehended Atkinson in the parking lot of Cowboy Leo’s bar, which he owns.
Police officers talking to a man in a parking lot
The body camera footage captures the initial interaction between the officers and Atkinson. He readily admits to owning the Hummer parked outside the bar. As officers handcuff Atkinson, bystanders voice their anger and disgust, expressing their hope for a lengthy prison sentence. They condemn his actions, emphasizing the young age of the victim and his reckless disregard for her safety.
Police officers interacting with a man in front of a building
The body camera footage then transitions to a different location where officers attempt to administer field sobriety tests. Atkinson quickly confesses to being intoxicated, stating, “Oh yeah, I’m already [expletive] up. I already know that.” Despite his admission, the officer proceeds to initiate the tests.
However, Atkinson attempts to explain away his inability to perform the tests by citing a previous motorcycle accident that resulted in metal implants in his leg. The footage shows Atkinson stumbling and struggling to maintain his balance, further supporting the officers’ suspicions.
A police officer talking to a man
Throughout the encounter, Atkinson repeatedly acknowledges his intoxication, stating, “I can’t [expletive]” and “I own a bar.” When asked if he wants to continue with the sobriety tests, he replies, “Yeah, I like to think I am, but I’m going to [expletive] fail this [expletive].”
The officers escort Atkinson to a squad car, where he once again admits to owning the bar where he was arrested. “What bar do you own?” an officer asks. Atkinson responds, “Oh, up there on H Springfield Street, where they arrested me at. Oh, where they got me.”
The video concludes with Atkinson being placed in the back of the squad car. He faces multiple charges, including child endangering, aggravated vehicular assault, and operating a vehicle while impaired. He is currently detained at the Montgomery County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
