While Adrian Epperson continues to recover from a hand injury sustained after a Roanoke Rapids High School football practice last month, his parents, through a statement released by their attorney, said they find the school district’s response to the matter “extremely upsetting.”
In a statement Wednesday, Superintendent Bennett Jones said that following interviews with all football players — including the injured athlete — the collection and analysis of witness statements, and a review of law enforcement documents, school officials concluded that the hand injury suffered by the student was an unfortunate accident and that the evidence indicates the injury occurred when another player accidentally closed a door on the student’s hand.
In the statement sent by the family’s attorney, Chrystal Redding, the family said: “Adrian is continuing to recover, but the school district’s announcement has been extremely upsetting for our family. Their decision to classify this incident as an ‘unfortunate accident’ feels like a slap in the face, especially considering the severity of Adrian’s injuries and everything he has had to endure as a result.”
Editor's note: The link below contains a graphic photograph of Epperson’s injured hand, provided by the family’s legal counsel with parental permission to illustrate the extent of the physical trauma.
Click the link to view the photograph of the injury — Reader discretion strongly advised
The statement continues: “We strongly disagree with their assessment and do not feel that this conclusion accurately reflects the seriousness of what happened. At this point we will be consulting with our attorney regarding the district’s findings and determining the appropriate next steps.”
The circumstances behind the matter, which the school system announced via a press release last month, resulted in the suspension of RRHS head football coach Chris Lyons as the RRGSD and the Roanoke Rapids Police Department investigated.
The RRGSD said Wednesday that the investigation found Lyons was unaware of any misconduct that may have risen to the level of hazing and that he had been reinstated.
Allegations of potential hazing within the football program are being investigated separately, the district said.
