Inmate dies after jumping from moving van

HOLCOMB, Mo. -- A 40-year-old Hayti, Mo., woman suffered fatal injuries after jumping from a Pemiscot County transport van at Holcomb on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder, a Pemiscot County deputy radioed the Dunklin County Communications Center and requested assistance on Highway 25 at Holcomb. Pemiscot deputies said that Lavonda Brown had jumped from a moving transport vehicle while being taken to Poplar Bluff, Mo., for a court commitment.

Holder said Dunklin County authorities learned Brown had been placed in hand and foot restraints before the transport.

"It is believed during the transport, Brown was able to remove her hands and feet from the restraints while talking to the deputies who were transporting her," Holder said in a written release. "Brown, at that point, was able to make her way to the double doors on the side of the van, and then opened the doors, allowing her to jump from the moving van."

Holder went on to say that Pemiscot deputies quickly stopped the van and began to administer first aid. Deputies were assisted in providing first aid by several passing motorists. Medical personnel were dispatched to the scene, along with Dunklin County deputies, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Holcomb fire and police departments.

Brown was airlifted to Saint Francis Medical Center, where she later died.

Dunklin County Coroner Jack Adkins ruled Brown's death a suicide.

Pertinent address:

Holcomb, MO