Montgomery County Jail inmate accused of stealing cruiser, killing girls in crash dies

Jail staff believe the man was abusing an unknown substance, according to the sheriff’s office
Raymond Walters Jr.  MONTGOMERY COUNTY JAIL

Raymond Walters Jr. MONTGOMERY COUNTY JAIL

A Dayton man accused of crashing a stolen police cruiser and killing two girls died while in custody at the Montgomery County Jail.

Raymond Walters, 34, was pronounced dead on Tuesday at Miami Valley Hospital, according to Montgomery County Coroner Dr. Kent Harshbarger. His cause and manner of death have not been determined.

On Tuesday, correctional staff at the jail noticed Walters was behaving erratically and removed him so medical staff could assess him, according to the sheriff’s office. Staff believed Walters may have “abused an unknown substance,” according to a media release.

The Dayton Fire Department responded and transported Walters to the Miami Valley Hospital, where he passed away.

The coroner’s office is investigating the cause of Walter’s death. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Investigations Unit is handling the criminal investigation and the Inspectional Services Unit is handling the internal investigation.

On Aug. 26, 2020, Walters reportedly stabbed his father and stole and crashed his father’s truck before stealing a Riverside police cruiser and crashing it in front of the downtown Dayton Metro Library. Walters hit a van outside the library, killing two 6-year-old girls, Penelope Jasko and Eleanor McBride.

Walters was facing murder, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide, felonious assault, robbery, aggravated vehicular assault, failing to comply with a police officer and other offenses.

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