A 25-year-old inmate, Tylor Lee Ormsbee of Kalamazoo, died after a daring but fatal attempt to escape from a moving transport van on US-127 in Central Michigan. The WOODTV report states that during a transfer to the Michigan Department of Corrections last Thursday morning, Ormsbee managed to break free from the vehicle's rear compartment, resulting in critical injuries.
Deputies were transporting the inmate to Jackson for a probation violation when the incident occurred around 7:40 a.m. in Gratiot County. Ormsbee was previously sentenced for assaulting, resisting, or obstructing a police officer. Despite the life-saving efforts following his escape and serious injuries, he passed away by Sunday. WWJ Newsradio indicated Ormsbee was involved in an encounter with a car on the highway once he exited the transport van and was left on life support. However, this has not been officially confirmed by the sheriff's office.
"Please keep Tylor Ormsbee's family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," communicated the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office in their release, demonstrating a sober recognition of the tragedy from the officials involved. Investigations have been launched about the escape and subsequent death, currently led by the Michigan State Police with an internal review already concluded by the Michigan Sheriff’s Association Mission Team, as per WWJ Newsradio.
Mecosta County Sheriff Brian Miller expressed his condolences, as per 9and10News, saying, "My heart goes out to everybody involved. The individual, his family, my staff, those of us that assisted them," but declined to provide specifics on the nature of the escape owing to the ongoing investigation. As per the latest reports, it still remains uncertain how Ormsbee was able to break free from the secured compartment of the transport vehicle.
