A violent roadside assault in Minford turned into a dramatic pursuit — and deputies say it might have ended very differently if not for one quick-thinking Good Samaritan.
Just after noon, 911 lit up with a chilling report:
A woman had fallen — or been shoved — out of a moving truck, and the driver was screaming that he needed help.
Witness Turns Into Hero
Two minutes later, the same caller phoned back with an urgent update. He was following the suspect’s vehicle, watching the injured woman “bloody and lying by the roadway,” while the pickup truck sped off toward Bond Road.
Moments later, the witness reported the woman was now down near Kendall Road, while the truck veered into the Marathon gas station. He told dispatch he believed the driver had shoved her out of the vehicle.
Deputies say the caller’s calm updates gave them a running map of the suspect’s movements — buying crucial time to help the victim and track down the assailant.
EMS Scrambles, Counties Alerted
Dispatchers reached out to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, who advised that since the road was within county jurisdiction, Scioto County deputies needed to handle the case.
Pike and Jackson County deputies were also alerted to watch for the suspect’s vehicle.
EMS rushed the victim to SOMC with significant injuries.
Deputies Hunt Down the Suspect
Deputies fanned out across the backroads of Minford — and soon located the suspect on Shonwiler Road.
He was taken into custody without incident, and deputies arranged to have the vehicle impounded.
Arrest Made: Ricky Alley
Deputies arrested Ricky Alley, who lists his address as homeless, on the following charges:
- Felonious Assault
- Failure to Appear (from a previous case)
Alley had been charged back in August for driving without a license — but never showed up to court.
He appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court this week and was appointed a public defender.
Give That Witness a Medal
The “Minford Good Samaritan” who followed the truck quite literally made the case possible — providing real-time updates, staying safely behind the vehicle, and ensuring help got to the victim as quickly as possible.
If You Witness an Assault on the Road
Here’s what law enforcement recommends:
- Call 911 immediately. Provide direction of travel and vehicle description.
- Do NOT intervene physically. It’s dangerous and can escalate violence.
- Follow at a safe distance only if you can do so without breaking traffic laws.
- Stay on the line until dispatch tells you you’re clear to disconnect.
Because of one person who did exactly that, a victim was rescued — and an accused attacker is now behind bars.