MORRISTOWN -- The conclusion of another successful Jamboree In The Hills was marred Sunday morning by an autmobile accident in which the driver lost his life.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol issued a press release Sunday morning, announcing that James Parks, 43, of McMechen, W.Va. died of an apparent drowning after his 2002 Mercury Sable entered a pond on US 40 near milepost 7, which is west of Morristown.
According to the release, Trooper Stan Bittinger was the first responding officer on the scene. When he arrived, Parks' passenger, Brenda Coulter, 42, also of McMechen was standing on the shore and told Bittinger that Parks remained trapped inside the vehicle.
Bittinger then entered the water to attempt to rescue Parks. A short time later, Sgt. Chris Chesar arrived and began assisting Bittinger.
The vehicle was "completely submerged and upside down." A third trooper, T.J. White, also arrived on the scene and assisted and the three were able to extricate the driver.
Once Parks was brought ashore, Sgt. Jason Greenwood, White and Bittinger all performed CPR on the victim.
Morristown, Barnesville and Bethesda Fire Departments arrived on the scene a few minutes later and took over the treatment.
The driver, however, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Assistant Belmont County Coroner.
Coulter was transported to Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling and was treated for "near drowning injuries."
The Jamboree In The Hills medical tent wasn't quite as busy as it's been in years past since the heat wasn't as big a factor, but the rain and muddy conditions did play a factor.
"We've dealt with about the same number of patients, but it's a different kind of thing because it wasn't as hot (until Sunday)," said Dr. Neal Aulick, who was working inside the medical tent. "A lot of the injuries were people falling in the mud. We've had about the same number of people who've needed fluids because of alcohol."
According to the doctor, there was a pedestrian struck by a vehicle after Saturday's show, but since it happened outside of the grounds, he wasn't treated on the site.
"We don't take care of that directly here, but the squad responded right away," Dr. Aulick said.
The folks transported from the site to area hospitals were down. Aulick estimated that between seven and eight people were transported each day of the show.
According to Captain Ron Everett of the Belmont County Sheriff's Department, most of the Jamboree week was relatively quiet.
"We've had very few arrests," Everett said Sunday.
The majority of the arrests within the Jamboree concert area were by the Ohio Investigative Unit for underage consumption and other alcohol-related crimes. However, other arrests were due to crimes such as disorderly conduct, passing a fake identification, obstructing official business, drug abuse and assault.
According to spokesperson, Julie Hinds, the unit made 82 arrests during the course of the weekend.
Staskey can be reached at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com
