Sumter woman accused of reckless homicide following partner's autopsy

Sumter officers arrested and charged a local woman accused of reckless homicide after autopsy results showed her boyfriend suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by a vehicle.
Janie Delores Jones, 54, of President Street, faces a charge of reckless homicide and an initial charge of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature following the autopsy performed Monday, said Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for the Sumter Police Department.

Reports indicate John Elva Tisdale, 69, of Blanding Street, was trying to prevent Jones from driving his minivan impaired from a School Street home at about 6 p.m. May 13. He was struck in the process, according to McGirt.
A passerby detained Jones and helped Tisdale until officers and other first responders arrived.
Tisdale was taken to Prisma Health Tuomey and later transported to a Richland County hospital where he died May 18.
Notification of his family and a scheduled autopsy was made by the Sumter County Coroner’s Office.
Findings from the autopsy determined Tisdale’s injuries contributed to his death.
Jones was booked May 13 at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.
An investigation is continuing.