Arkansas Woman Drowns In Floodwaters After 911 Dispatcher Scolds

Donkey Of The Day is the 911 dispatcher only being identified as Reneau. A woman in Arkansas drowned in floodwaters shortly after getting on the phone with an emergency dispatcher who scolded her for driving during the storm.

According to a news release from the Fort Smith Police department, 47-year-old Debra Stevens was delivering local newspapers at approximately 4:08 am on Aug. 24 when her SUV was swept away by a flash flood.

Stevens could be heard in distress, saying that her car veered off the road and that she can’t get out.
“I can’t get out and I’m scared to death ma’am,” Stevens can be heard telling Reneau, adding: “Please help me. I don’t want to die.”
“You’re not going to die. Hold on for a minute,” Reneau says in response.
“How long’s it gonna take?” Stevens asks, sounding more panicked.
“I don’t have an officer available, so it’s going to take a minute. So, I’m gonna try to get somebody out there to you, okay?” Reneau says.
“How long’s it gonna take? Please –” Stevens continues before Reneau says, “Listen to me. I need you to calm down and hold on.”

What a terrible way to treat another dying human being, if this dispatcher was kinder maybe this woman would still be alive.