Pottawatomie County man arrested after woman falls from pickup truck and dies

A Pottawatomie County man was arrested and charged with manslaughter and driving under the influence.

According to a preliminary investigation, a passenger fell from his pickup truck near Macomb last week and died.

The driver of the pickup truck, Ethan Elrod, called 911. He explained to the dispatcher that a young woman was fooling around when she slipped and fell out the window of his pickup truck.

“One died and now another is facing manslaughter charges,” said Pottawatomie County resident Hal Girod.

Macomb residents say many people's lives have been turned upside down by a tragic accident. “She was clinging to a bar on the front of a Ford pickup truck,” Girod said.

Trinity Russell, a young mother of four, died in the accident. “She was just hanging out the window and fell out,” Girod said.

According to an initial report from the OHP, Ethan Elrod was traveling north on a country road when Trinity, who was sitting on the rear windowsill of his pickup truck, fell out.

Elrod stopped and called 911.

Elrod: I need an ambulance. She's lying on the side of the road right now. Blood is coming out of her nose and ears.

Elrod was joined by another passenger and other concerned drivers on the phone to 911.

911: Is she breathing?

Elrod: I don't see her chest rising or falling. I don't hear her heartbeat or breathing when I put my ear to her chest.

Under the dispatcher’s instructions, Elrod begins rescue operations.

911: Can you or someone else begin CPR?

Elrod: I can begin resuscitation, yes, ma'am.

911: 1, 2, 3,4, 1, 2, 3,4

When police arrived, they noticed a strong odor of alcohol on Elrod's breath.

Police reportedly found “open containers of alcohol,” a loaded pistol, and two rifles in his pickup truck.

The next morning, Elrod was arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol while under 21.

News 9 spoke to Trinity's mother, who said she wants justice. She said her daughter met Elrod the day of the accident and she was friends with the other passenger in his pickup truck.

No official charges have been filed against Elrod.

If you would like to help Trinity's family with funeral expenses, click here.