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Fraley autopsy report offers few answers

Posted on March 26, 2009 by Staff

By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer

After months of uncertainty, questions surrounding the death of Chapel Hill High School senior Atlas Fraley remain, despite the release of the autopsy report and a statement from Orange County officials.

Orange County released a statement regarding Fraley’s death last week, along with the autopsy report from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, but neither offered much explanation as to how Fraley died.

Fraley, 17, died Aug. 12 in his home following a 911 call at 1:45 p.m. in which he told responders his body hurt all over and he thought he needed fluids. According to Orange County Emergency Services, a paramedic arrived at Fraley’s home on Fan Branch Lane at 1:53 p.m. and left at 2:16 p.m. When Fraley’s parents returned home around 6 p.m., they found their son dead.

Fifteen days later, the paramedic who treated Fraley, James Griffin, resigned after nine years on the job. Orange County has yet to comment on the paramedic’s actions.

According to the county statement, an “Orange County paramedic was dispatched to Mr. Fraley’s home on Aug. 12, 2008, in response to Mr. Fraley’s 911 call. The paramedic evaluated Mr. Fraley and advised him in regard to adequate hydration.”

According to the autopsy report, medical examiners determined the cause of death to be “undetermined natural causes.” The report summary states that “[n]o definite explanation for this young man’s death is evident at autopsy,” but that multiple factors could have been involved.

The Fraleys’ attorney, Don Strickland, released the paramedic’s patient care report last week as well. In the report narrative, Griffin wrote that he had attempted to contact both of Fraley’s parents, but was unable to reach them.

“I decided to let the [patient] sign the declination form with instructions to [continue] drinking water and Gatorade and [continue] to work out his cramps,” the report states.

Fraley, who was a lineman for the Chapel Hill High football team, participated in two scrimmages at Middle Creek High School in Cary earlier that day, but had to be removed from the game because of headaches. He had previously suffered from dehydration and headaches but had begun a routine of drinking water and Gatorade prior to games and practices.

It is unclear whether Orange County has a policy regarding a minor’s ability to sign his or her discharge form. The 2006 edition of Orange County EMS Medical Practice Protocols does not specify protocol for discharging minors.

Orange County EMS Director Rojas Montes de Oca referred all questions regarding the incident to County Manager Laura Blackmon, who could not be reached for comment.

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