Mom Takes Legal Action Against Bristol Over Son’s 2017 Death After Video Surfaces
Greeneville, Tenn. — A mother who tragically lost her son seven years ago has recently filed a lawsuit against the City of Bristol, Tenn. following the emergence of a video that has cast new light on the circumstances of his death. Karen Goodwin, whose son, Austin “Hunter” Turner, passed away on August 30, 2017, has taken legal action, accusing the city and numerous police officers and paramedics of mishandling the situation leading to her son’s death.
The incident began when Turner’s girlfriend, Michelle Stowers, made a desperate 911 call late at night on August 29, 2017. The call, which lasted about eight minutes, described Turner’s distress and potential seizure activities. However, instead of receiving medical care, Turner was allegedly subjected to a series of severe actions by the responders. According to the lawsuit, the treatment included being shocked with a stun device, forcibly handcuffed, shackled, and covered to his neck with a mesh “spit sock” before being transported to an ambulance. He stopped breathing within minutes.
Goodwin mentioned that the information she initially received about her son’s death was entirely different from what she saw later in the video. “They told me he died of an overdose. He didn’t,” she stated in an emotional interview. The lawsuit argues that the responders used “excessive and unreasonable force” and acted with “deliberate indifference” to Austin’s federally protected rights guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment.
The suit also claims that the responders either ignored or were unaware of proper protocols for handling a person experiencing a seizure. Despite the 911 operator clearly instructing Stowers not to lay Turner on his stomach or restrict his movements, the paramedics and officers took actions contrary to these instructions. These included restraining Turner face-down on a gurney, which is highly risky for someone having a seizure.
Bristol City Attorney Danielle Smith has stated that the city’s policy is not to comment on ongoing litigation.
The lawsuit seeks a trial and damages to be determined by a jury, with counts including “Excessive Use of Force,” “Failure to Protect,” “Deliberate Indifference to Safety and Health,” and “Public Entity Liability.” It specifically points out that improper handling during such medical emergencies can lead to significant injury or death, a risk that was realized in Turner’s case.
Goodwin shared that she only learned about the shocking details from the video a year ago during an investigation by reporters. “There are no words, no words for what I saw,” she remarked, describing how seeing the video changed her understanding of the incident. The video documented the chaotic scene in the apartment and subsequent actions in the ambulance, including a moment when a responder questioned whether they were being recorded.
One particularly harrowing part of the video captured a responder saying, “Y’all ain’t recording, are you?” shortly after realizing Turner had stopped breathing. Efforts to resuscitate Turner were made, but tragically, he was already in severe distress by then.
Goodwin now focuses on ensuring that future responders are better equipped to handle such situations correctly. “I never, ever, ever want another mother or father or brother to have to go through what we’ve been through,” she emphasized. Her primary hope is that better training can prevent similar incidents moving forward. She wants first responders to be familiarized with various types of seizures and how to appropriately manage them during emergency calls.
While seeking justice for her son’s death, Goodwin is navigating a complex emotional landscape. “This opened it up like it was brand new,” she reflected, acknowledging the toll of revisiting her son’s tragic death. She recalled Turner as a well-loved individual who had a positive impact on many lives. Despite his imperfections, evidenced by his marijuana use and a suboxone prescription, Goodwin insists her son was fundamentally a good person.
As the lawsuit moves forward, Goodwin hopes that it will lead not only to justice for her son but also to systemic changes that will better protect others in the future. “They need to know how to handle that,” she concluded, stressing the importance of learning from this painful experience to save others.
