Floridian accused of failing to seek help for fatally injured man
A Florida man has been arrested and accused of failing to seek help for a fatally injured acquaintance in Morgan City, police said.
Bretland Andrew Smith-Sawka, 34, Vero Beach, Florida, was arrested Wednesday on a charge of failure to seek assistance.
Officers with the Morgan City Police Department responded to the area of Roderick Street in October about a subject who had entered a room that did not belong to him. Reports indicate that the subject went to sleep on the bed.
Officers made contact with Jeffery Pittman, 57. It was apparent that the subject was suffering from some sort of medical episode and that he required to be transported to a local medical facility by Acadian Ambulance.
Pittman was examined by medical professionals, and it was determined that he had injuries that was consistent with head trauma. Pittman was transported to an out-of-town medical facility, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators with the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division responded and learned through their investigation that Pittman was involved in some sort of altercation in the area of Railroad Avenue, police said.
According to reports, Smith-Sawka was identified as the other subject involved. Evidence indicates that Pittman was the aggressor in the altercation, police said.
Smith-Sawka and Pittman knew each other. It was apparent the injuries that Pittman received needed medical attention. The subjects left together and proceeded to the area of Roderick Street.
Once on Roderick Street, Smith-Sawka was informed by another acquaintance that Pittman needed medical attention and he needed to bring him to the hospital. Smith-Sawka failed to do so, which delayed medical attention that Pittman needed, police said. Warrants were prepared for Smith-Sawka's arrest.
On Wednesday, Smith-Sawka turned himself in on the active warrant for his arrest. He was booked into the Morgan City Jail, where he awaits court proceedings. Bail was set at $35,000.