By Erica Kearns
A Clay County man was arrested this week on charges of involuntary manslaughter after leaving a drunk woman in the Elk River who later drown, then released two days later with all charges dropped. Travis Pozzi, 25 of Bomont, told Clendenin Police that he, his girlfriend Maranda Ronquest and Freda Short were partying at a public access on the Elk River on the night of July 31. According to Pozzi, after his girlfriend passed out from drinking, he struggled to get her in the truck so they could leave the area. During this time, a drunken Freda Short re-entered the water. Pozzi told police that he called for Short to get out of the water because it was dark and she was drunk and could barely walk, but that he did not attempt to get her out of the water. The complaint says the Pozzi neglected to call 911 or wade into the one-and-a-half-foot-deep water to help Short. Pozzi told officers he was not under the influence of any alcohol or substances at the time of the accident, which indicates he was capable or rendering aide or calling for help. A family living nearby called 911 when they saw Pozzi speeding away from the scene in a red Ford truck, according to the complaint. Bonnie Elmore, Short’s mom, told police that Pozzi dropped off Short’s belongings around 10:30 p.m., and he said he couldn’t find her. Emergency officials began a search of Short’s home as well as local businesses in an attempt to locate her. Search efforts were later focused to the Elk River, where Short’ was found in the early morning hours, deceased, nearly one mile down river behind Clendenin Elementary. Her body was caught underneath a tree branch in the water.
Kanawha County prosecutors have since dropped the charges, stating that police should have obtained more information before bringing a criminal charge. Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Chuck Miller said at this time there is no indication that Pozzi saw Short in the process of drowning. Prosecutors say charges are especially dependent on the statements of other witnesses and the results of the autopsy.
No funeral services have been set for Freda Short.
