DOTHAN, Ala. – A woman from Ozark is in critical condition after a violent confrontation Monday night led to her being dragged down a road. According to authorities, the incident began just before midnight on May 5, when Ozark Police and deputies from the Dale County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunshots in the 300 block of Dixie Drive.
Upon arrival, law enforcement officers discovered the victim lying in the roadway with a head injury, but no gunshot wounds. It was later determined that the woman had been involved in an altercation with 22-year-old Jakevion Slater, who reportedly became upset when she refused to give him a ride home.
Authorities say that during the confrontation, the victim attempted to prevent Slater from taking her car, which contained her children. In the ensuing struggle, Slater allegedly dragged the woman approximately 10 to 15 yards before she fell to the ground, sustaining the head injury. The woman was immediately transported to a local hospital for medical treatment, where she remains in critical condition.
Slater fled the scene on foot, but police managed to locate him around five hours later at an apartment complex in the Jasmine Hills area. Following his arrest, Slater was charged with first-degree assault, with additional charges pending as the investigation continues.
The victim’s children, who were inside the vehicle during the altercation, were unharmed. Authorities are continuing to investigate the details of the incident and have not ruled out additional charges related to the suspect’s actions.
This violent episode has left the community shaken, and residents are now grappling with the reality of a senseless act of aggression that escalated into such a dangerous and tragic outcome.
