Inmate Death Investigation Report Released

The Licking County Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation of a fatal accident involving a Coshocton County inmate on work release.

The report says the accident happened on May 8th. 28-year-old Joseph Lee Daniels of Bidwell, who was killed, was driving a truck owned by Echoing Hills Village, a non-profit organization in Coshocton County that takes part in an inmate work program.

Earlier that day Daniels and two other inmates were picked up from jail by an Echoing Hills employee. But the report states they first stopped at a restaurant to eat breakfast then stopped at a nearby convenience store where Daniels bought beer, cigarettes, whiskey and a Mother’s Day card.

The report says he somehow withdrew money from his personal account on May 2nd. The three inmates planned to power wash a fence at Echoing Hills, but it was cold and they asked to go fishing instead which they were allowed to do.

At that point the investigation shows that Daniels got into the Echoing Hills pick-up truck and drove away from the site on State Route 60 when he rolled the vehicle and was killed.

Investigators say Daniels blood tested at three-times over the legal limit.

The report says they have not yet determined where Daniels was heading at the time of the crash.