Ohio dad – Billy Grooms, 49, died after allegedly being run over by a truck driven by the woman’s attacker at a gas station in Hillsboro, Ohio, following an assault in the early morning hours of May 31. Court records cite Javen Meadows, 22, on charges including strangula
The last act of Billy Grooms’ life began with a sound and a sight his family says he couldn’t ignore.
Early in the morning on May 31. in Hillsboro. Ohio. Grooms and his son allegedly witnessed a young woman being violently attacked at a gas station. Authorities say Grooms stepped in after seeing the woman being strangled. trying to stop the assault and protect her from further harm. Then. according to the account investigators are working from. the moment he intervened turned deadly—he was allegedly run over by the woman’s assailant in a truck.
Grooms, 49, was rushed to the hospital with multiple broken bones and a severe brain injury, as reported by Fox 19 News and other local outlets. His loved ones held onto hope during the days that followed, but his condition reportedly continued to worsen into this week.
His wife, Amy, described the family’s struggle to hold on.
“We were trying for hope. If we could try to intervene to stop the swelling, but then within days, he was declining.”
On Thursday, Grooms was taken off life support and died from his injuries.
Court records cited by local reporting show that 22-year-old Javen Meadows has been charged with strangulation and assault in connection with the attack on the woman. Investigators allege that after arriving at the gas station. Meadows became involved in a violent confrontation in which the woman was allegedly thrown to the ground. kicked. and punched. Authorities say that during that confrontation, Grooms was run over while trying to intervene and save her.
Officials have since indicated that additional charges remain under consideration following Grooms’ death.
The woman who was attacked has spoken publicly about Grooms’ actions, describing him as a hero. She said:
“I believe his actions saved my life. I’ll carry that gratitude with me forever.”
As the family mourns a husband and father of three, those close to him are also trying to make sense of the kind of choice that ended with him dying to protect someone else. His sister-in-law, Angela Osborn, said her family is still processing what happened.
“We’re still trying to wrap our minds around the fact that his life is gone for saving a young girl who was being strangled.”
Even as the grief settles in, Grooms’ loved ones say they’re finding a measure of purpose in what comes next. Following his death, his organs are set to be donated, giving others a chance at life. Osborn said his legacy will continue through that decision.
“He has just been that person to save as many people as he can — and he’s going to continue to by these organ donations.”
A fundraiser established to help support Grooms’ family has received tens of thousands of dollars in donations from people touched by his story.
In Hillsboro. the details are still being sorted out in the wake of a night that began like many others and ended with a death investigators say followed a desperate attempt to stop an assault. For Grooms’ family. friends. and everyone affected. the focus now remains on the man whose actions. the victim says. saved her life—and on the questions that linger as the legal process moves forward.
Billy Grooms Ohio dad dies Hillsboro Ohio gas station assault Javen Meadows strangulation charges truck run over organ donation fundraiser GoFundMe