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Families, county officials press Onslow County over 3‑hour delay in removing deceased after workplace death
Summary
Multiple speakers during public comment described a three‑hour wait for contracted transport after a Jacksonville man died at work; speakers and commissioners urged county staff to review the contract and options so families do not face lengthy waits in future incidents.
Multiple family members and community representatives told the Onslow County Board of Commissioners on June 16 that a contracted transport delay left a deceased man lying in a parking lot for about three hours after he died at work.
Dennis Arnie, who identified himself as the deceased man's brother, said his brother collapsed while at work at Modern Exterminating and an autopsy was ordered. “We waited there for over 3 hours for someone to come pick up his body while it laid there in a parking lot in the sun,” Arnie said during public comments. He questioned why the county’s contracted transport came from Rocky Mount and whether local firms could handle the calls sooner.
Julie Sewell, speaking later, said the transport that eventually arrived allowed family members a short prayer and left 30 minutes after arrival; she described the prior wait as “unacceptable” and urged the board to examine the breakdown. “This delay wasn't just a logistical failure. It was a disservice to Danny, to his family, and to his coworkers who stood by during this long and painful time,” Sewell said.
County staff told the board in later comments that the county had solicited proposals for transport services and received no bids from local funeral homes; one bidder that did offer the service was located in Duplin County and has been used under the county's contract. At the meeting County Manager David Smitherman said staff is aware of the concern and “we are still looking at it.” Commissioner Buchanan and others called the situation “unsatisfactory” and urged staff to develop alternative approaches, including possible local subsidies or other remedies if market response remains limited.
Speakers linked the waits to three related issues: (1) local funeral homes and EMS no longer transporting bodies under the county contract, (2) the county's current vendor being based outside Onslow County, and (3) the operational exposure created when crews remain on scene rather than available for other emergency calls. Arnie and Sewell asked the board to ensure families are treated with dignity and to reduce emotional and safety risks for responders left on-scene during long waits.
No formal board action was taken during the meeting; commissioners directed staff to continue researching the procurement history and options. County staff told the board the previous two request-for-proposal cycles produced no local respondents and that the current contractor operates from Duplin County.
