By Ivory D. Payne
Nationwide — Kendra Whitley continues to be looking for solutions after her son, Jordan Whitley, 29, died in a single-vehicle crash in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in January 2024, elevating pressing questions concerning the response of emergency providers.
Jordan, a plant operator identified for his power, love of sports activities, touring, and Southern delicacies, was driving residence from an evening out when his Ford Mustang left the street and struck a tree. The airbags deployed, routinely triggering the car’s “SYNC 911 Help” system to put two emergency calls, at 1:36 a.m. and 1:37 a.m. Cellphone information and Jordan’s Apple Watch affirm he may be heard asking for assist.
“I listened again and again,” Kendra stated. “He was alive. He was calling for assist. And assist didn’t come. These phrases—‘Assist me’—will hang-out me without end.”
Timeline of Occasions and Emergency Response
• 1:35 a.m. — Jordan’s car routinely dials 911. A recorded message pronounces a crash. Jordan may be heard saying, “Assist me,” earlier than the decision disconnects.
• 1:36 a.m. — The system calls 911 once more. Jordan’s voice is heard, however the name disconnects after the operator makes an attempt to get GPS coordinates.
• 1:38 a.m. — The operator inputs crash coordinates into the CAD system and shares them with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Workplace.
• 1:39 a.m. — The decision is reclassified from “Sheriff 911” to “Grasp Up/Unknown Drawback.”
• 1:40 a.m. — Deputies try and name again Jordan’s quantity however attain voicemail.
• 1:41 a.m. — A deputy is dispatched from Burbank and Gardere, about 4 miles from the crash web site.
• 1:54 a.m. — Passersby uncover the wreck and name 911, prompting a full emergency response.
• 2:01 a.m. — The deputy arrives on the scene.
• 2:03 a.m. — Baton Rouge Fireplace Division vehicles arrive.
• 2:15 a.m. — East Baton Rouge EMS arrives.
• 2:19 a.m. — Louisiana State Police arrive.
• 3:04 a.m. — The coroner declares Jordan useless.
Investigating the System
Data and reviews present {that a} full emergency response didn’t happen till practically half-hour after the primary automated name. Dashcam footage from the deputy begins solely after arrival, leaving the primary 20 minutes undocumented.
Kendra Whitley stated repeated inquiries to EMS, the sheriff’s workplace, and the fireplace division produced conflicting statements and incomplete information. Initially, EMS claimed all companies have been notified after the automated calls, however incident reviews present hearth and EMS have been dispatched solely after passersby referred to as. The sheriff’s workplace informed investigators the calls have been hang-ups, citing a excessive quantity of false 911 calls—15,000 prior to now 12 months, with solely 26 confirmed emergencies.
“Each minute issues in a life-or-death state of affairs,” Kendra stated. “If somebody isn’t responding, perhaps it’s as a result of they’ll’t. My son couldn’t. He was trapped. He was alive and asking for assist. And nobody got here.”
Crash Particulars
Crash knowledge reveals Jordan hit a tree at 87 mph, seconds after reaching 113 mph. His blood alcohol content material was .089, barely above the authorized restrict. The Mustang’s entrance finish was destroyed, and Jordan remained trapped within the driver’s seat.
A Mom’s Mission
Since his dying, Kendra has meticulously reviewed 911 name recordings, incident reviews, and crash knowledge. She has reached out repeatedly to first responders and metropolis officers, looking for transparency and accountability.
“I do know nothing can carry Jordan again,” she stated. “But when there’s a flaw within the emergency response system, it have to be mounted. One other household mustn’t need to lose a baby as a result of assist didn’t arrive in time. That is about accountability. That is about saving lives. That is about my son. And I can’t cease till I get solutions.”
For press inquiries, please ship an e-mail to champions23@proton.me
Initially printed in The Weekly Press
