August 25, 2008

Atlanta Man Bites Officer, Claims He’s HIV Positive

An Atlanta man claiming to be HIV positive bit the arm of a police officer during an arrest, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

According to the article, a motorist, Ross Deadwyler, 41, attempted to flee from police at 3:30 a.m. August 23 when an officer tried to pull him over for a broken headlight. Following a pursuit, the officer reached into the car to turn off the ignition when Deadwyler bit a chunk of flesh out of his arm. After the bite, Deadwyler said he was HIV positive.

Deadwyler, whose HIV status remains unknown, is being held in police custody and is charged with two counts each of aggravated battery, aggravated assault and speeding to elude plus one count each of felony obstruction and improper equipment.  

Editors' Note: Deadwyler later tested positive for HIV.

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Previous Comments:

Dawn M., Simi Valley, CA, 2008-08-28 01:25:55
I hope he is crazy and not positive for the officers sake. It woul dbe easy to wish this on an idiot like this man but then we would have a crazy case out there infecting others. Why would someone be so evil..I will pray for the officer that he is ok and for God to heal him and rest his and his familys mainds while he has to be tested etc. How terrible. I to freak out if someone tries to helpp me when I am bleeding as never want to pass this on ever!!!

Annette Lizzul, Lakewood, 2008-08-27 12:14:33
Once again, some idiot with HIV uses his status against himself and the community. This moron just set the clock back in time on trying to get "fear" and "misinformation" about HIV into the headset of an uninformed society. And, once again, the media reported this incident and is making it a piece of "juicy" news. Oy.

Kevin, Phoenix, 2008-08-26 14:49:33
It's sad that crazy people use HIV to threaten and terrorize others. It just adds to the public perception that we're all biohazards and criminals. If you're HIV poz, don't spit on or bite law enforcement agents. They're just doing their jobs.

Elaine Farrell, Monticello, 2008-08-26 11:51:49
A person like this is the type of person who is making it harder for people with HIV to deal with the stigma and discrimination, and he helps perpetuate the myth that HIV is spread by saliva. If he wants to go to jail that badly for assaulting an officer, let him. One bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch. Most people I've met with HIV are decent, caring people, just trying to survive inspite of idiots like him.

DaphneeLee, Raleigh, 2008-08-26 08:53:30
I think this guy is a despicable moron. He must need to live at jail or something. I am HIV+ and I have often had fantasies of FEAR that if I becames sick or injured, I would be extrememly worried that the people "helping me" might get infected. I worry for the girls who check my blood. This man has evil in his heart.