Ashlyn Maddox, 36, was discovered unresponsive on a scorching sidewalk just 50 feet from the adult care home where she resided. A full-time resident of the care home in Southeast Portland, Maddox had been battling epilepsy and had suffered multiple strokes.
Following her tragic death during Oregon’s record-breaking 2021 heat wave, her family has reached a $375,000 settlement. Maddox was one of nearly 100 Oregonians who lost their lives during the June 2021 heat wave, which saw temperatures soar into the triple digits for several days.
On the day of her death, Maddox had just returned from a doctor’s appointment. A medical transport service, Ride to Care, took her home, but a neighbor’s security camera captured the moment the driver dropped her off at the curb of a neighboring house. Instead of entering her home, Maddox appeared to walk in the opposite direction before the Ride to Care vehicle drove away.
Two hours later, around 5 p.m., at the peak of the day’s heat, neighbors discovered her lying on the sidewalk and called 911. Unfortunately, it was too late; a medical examiner later confirmed that Maddox died of hyperthermia due to overheating, with temperatures reaching a record high of 116 degrees in Portland that day.
In the aftermath of her death, both the county and state initiated investigations into the ride service and the adult care home to determine if anyone was legally obligated to ensure that Maddox made it safely inside given the extreme heat. However, the investigation yielded inconclusive evidence, with no clear wrongdoing identified.
In September, Maddox’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Ride to Care service, alleging negligence for failing to take reasonable steps to ensure her safe transport to and from her appointment. Court documents indicate that Maddox had been advised against going out in the heat and had misled her caretaker about her expected return time for shopping after the appointment. During the two hours after being dropped off, she reportedly walked to a nearby shopping area, suffering from hyperthermia on her way back.
A settlement was reached in early October. According to court documents, the case has hindered Maddox’s mother, Cheryl Hollins, from emotionally recovering from the loss of her only child.