By Tim Reid Anchor/Reporter
Tim Reid treid@wrbl.com news 3 on your side
A 30 year old Phenix city man who died at his home Thursday is the focus of a controversy. Family members of James Darrell Bentley or J.D. as his friends Call him say they were shocked and angry after seeing the type of vehicle the Russell county coroner used to transport their loved one to the morgue. BentleyTim Reid treid@wrbl.com news 3 on your side
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Stumble It!died of natural causes Thursday at his home in Phenix city. Vickie Bentley and her husband say the whole fuss is about the pick up truck the county Coroner uses. “when you loose someone its real traumatic to start with. I don't feel that my family was shown any kind of dignity or respect for my nephew being picked up that way” Bentley said. Russell county coroner Arthur Sumbry junior says the brand new ford f-150 is a county vehicle and has more than enough room for the job. The truck is specially modified and has a hard cover for
The truck bed. Sumbry says he uses a four wheel drive because his job takes him on many unpaved rough roads. He says he always treats the remains of those who die with care and respect. “I empathize with them because I know its hard times they are going through. But if they watch me and see what the truck has, it has a stretcher and has the capacity to carry the bodies like any other similar vehicle like a van or sports utility vehicle”. Rebecca Bentley the widow Of JD Bentley called News three to say she disagree's with her relatives. She says the coroner was a total professional and did a good Job and was respectful with her husbands body.
