‘Slumper’ call turns critical after deferred response

Published 12:31 pm Monday, June 24, 2024

ILWACO — A slumper (an unresponsive person inside a vehicle) call at the Wallicut River RV Resort in Ilwaco on Sunday, June 16, that was initially held off went from a perceived non-emergency to critical in a matter of hours.

Slowly unfolding radio chatter concerning the incident picked up at 4:46 p.m.

Dispatch notified the sole deputy on duty in south county that the individual from “21-Lincoln that was held for next out” was not doing well.

According to public records, the campground made an initial 911 call at 1:12 p.m., stating that a Subaru pulled into the campground with a potentially intoxicated male inside.

“It’s a non-emergency,” the caller stated. “I just have a— I run an RV park out here in Ilwaco and I had a gentleman pull in here a couple hours ago. He’s just sitting in his car. He is passed out; he is breathing but he is just passed out and been here for a few hours.”

The caller also told dispatch they attempted to get the man’s attention by honking a horn.

The call was initially assigned to Deputy Cosmo Cozby at 1:12 p.m. and was closed out after 5 seconds.

Records also show that at 3 p.m. Sgt. Kyle Pettit told dispatch “This call can be held for next out.”

According to public records, the campground called back at 4:46 p.m. and informed dispatch that the male was still not responding and “his breathing is a little different” but was not completely sure.

Deputy Sean Eastham was informed of the call at 4:53 p.m. and immediately requested that a medic unit respond to check on the man — Medix and the Ilwaco Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the call.

Eastham arrived on scene at 5:09 p.m. and immediately informed dispatch “CPR in progress.”

The man was rushed to Ocean Beach Hospital in critical condition. The outcome is unknown.

Contact information

If you have concerns about illegal or dangerous behavior, call the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office and make a report. Call 911 for emergencies. For non-emergency 24-hour dispatch, call 360-642-9397 in south county and 360-875-9397 in north county.

The sheriff’s office website is www.pacificcountysheriff.com.

For information on domestic violence or sexual assault support groups, call Crisis Support Network at 800-435-7276. All calls are confidential. Concerned about child abuse? Call toll free 1-866-363-4276 or 911 to report suspicions of abuse or neglect.