ST. LOUISVILLE — Lilly Dawn Pressley-Claggett had only been a member of the Mary Ann Township Fire Department for about a year and a half, but was well-liked and will be missed.
“It was devastating,” said Capt. Randy Miner. “I was on vacation and was shocked when I heard.
“She was always bubbly and happy, with a smile on her face and a kind word or a friendly greeting, he said. “She will be missed.”
The department will participate in Pressley-Claggett’s funeral service, but are waiting to hear when that will be.
Miner said Pressley-Claggett had only recently passed her EMT certification test and so had not worked often on the emergency squad crew. The department requires both firefighter and EMT certification to work in a paid capacity.
Even before she completed her certification, however, she was willing to help out, Miner said, whether it was working at the Easter egg hunt the department stages, or the Christmas party.
“I loaned her my personal stethoscope to go through EMT school,” Miner said. “I came in the other day and someone had returned them. I don’t know who.”
“We were looking forward to more EMS involvement from her,” he said.
Pressley-Claggett was killed on Friday from a gunshot wound following an incident that stemmed from a domestic dispute. She was driving a vehicle, which also included Jesse Bernard Collins, 30, Frazeysburg, who also suffered from a gunshot wound. The two were being pursued by Collins’ father, Michael Collins, 57, Frazeysburg, and sister, Melissa Kramer, 28, Utica. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, gunfire was exchanged between occupants of the two vehicles although no details have been released as to who was firing the shots. Pressley-Claggett’s vehicle crashed on Ohio 586 at about 10:30 p.m.
Jesse Collins is listed in serious condition today at Ohio State University Medical Center. Michael Collins remains in the Knox County Jail on $50,000 bond for a charge of possessing a weapon under disability. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 3 p.m. in Mount Vernon Municipal Court.
The incident remains under investigation and additional charges may be filed. Anyone with information that could aid in the investigation is encouraged to contact the OSHP — Critical Information & Communication Center at 614-799-6633.
