Family Filing Lawsuit in Mistaken Death Case

LOUISBURG, N.C. — The family of a Franklin County man who was mistakenly sent to the morgue in a body bag two years ago is working on filing a lawsuit in the case.

Baines Jones, the attorney for Larry Donnell Green's family, told WRAL on Wednesday that the lawsuit would name Franklin County and individuals involved.

Wednesday night, Green's and family and their friends gathered in a candlelight vigil to pray for his recovery.

Green was walking along U.S. Highway 401 north of Louisburg when he was hit by a car on Jan. 24, 2005. Paramedics responding to the accident declared Green dead, although they did not thoroughly examine him.

Green was zipped into a body bag and sent to the county morgue, where the coroner later saw him breathing.

Two paramedics lost their state credentials after the incident, but were later given the opportunity to regain some of them.

For most of the past two years, Green has been in a rehabilitation facility. His father, Larry Alston, said his son recognizes people and can talk a little, but still can't walk.

"It means so much for me and our family , telling us that God kept him alive because he has something to do for Him," Green's mother, Ruby Kelly said at thevigil.

"It's just like a nightmare, just like a dream," Alston said.