Body Found in Guyandotte River

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Body Found in Guyandotte River

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Posted: 3:53 PM Sep 5, 2007
Last Updated: 8:57 AM Sep 7, 2007
Reporter: WSAZ NewsChannel 3
Email Address: news@wsaz.com

28 comments

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The body of a man accused of a hit and run was found in the Guyandotte River River at about 3pm Wednesday.

Family members identified the man as Ronny Bowen. Police say Bowen was pulling out of JB's Gentleman's Club on Monday night when he hit another car.

Witnesses told police he jumped out of his car and ran into the bar and ran out the back door. He hadn't been seen since.

Bowen's body is on the way to the coroner's office for an autopsy.

Photo by WSAZ photojournalist John Mulvaney.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Jessica(Chain)Bowen on Mar 18, 2008 at 09:45 PM
Just wanted to say a few words.. i love my dad alot and i miss him. his death was very sad and we all wish it didnt happen.. to anyone with any smart comment about it we will never know 100% what happened that night and i know it will always be in the back of head.. who knows it could have been the other guys fault for all we know my dad isnt here to defend himself.. so please leave your smarta** comments at home...thanks!!!!!!!!!!!XOXOXOXOX LOVE U DAD!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: LauraBeth Bowen-Meade on Sep 28, 2007 at 12:13 AM
I again am Ronnies daughter, and I don;t want anyone to think that my family and I have not thought about the other family... b/c we have and I am not justifing my fathers drinking and driving, and we have tried to get information that would alow us to contact the other family but we were unable to abtain thet information. We at this point are not 100% sure that it was my father actually driving the vehical and as I said we have tried in many ways to get a police report so we could contact the family that was involved in the accident the night of 9/3 to check and make sure everyone made it out (physically)okay. we were not able to obtain that info yet, but I don't want you, as the family to think that we have not thought about you and even included you in our prayers. thank you and sorry for your inconvenious. LauraBeth Marie Bowen-Meade

Posted by: mike on Sep 22, 2007 at 11:03 PM
Thanks Lauren for the rest of the story. As i've always said there is three sides to every story. Their side, her side and the truth. there could have been more deaths involved but thankfully only a vehicle was totaled.

Posted by: Lauren Finley on Sep 13, 2007 at 11:21 PM
I just want to add that it was my family who he very nearly killed on the road that night. My mother, father, and grandmother were all in the vehicle and returning from a visit they made to my school. My parent's truck was totaled and they were not hurt too badly, but that doesn't excuse drunk driving at any cost. My entire universe was almost extinguished because of someone else's irresponsibility. So, you can admit that you would have run too, if you were drunk...but staying at the scene and admitting your faults is the right thing to do. The harder "right" could have saved a life. It is a greivous lesson to learn, but a significant one. I am very sorry for the gentleman who lost his life. Because he made a mistake, it doesn't make him a bad person, and I am not attempting to paint that picture. I just think it is fair to admit that he did engage in wreckless behavior and it was at another family's expense.

Posted by: Just Wandering on Sep 13, 2007 at 01:12 PM
Anybody in Ronnie's family checked on the person that he hit on Rt60 and then fled from the scene. That would be a nice gesture.

Posted by: Life Lesson on Sep 13, 2007 at 01:09 PM
Life is like a coin; you can spend it anyway you want, but you can only spend it once. Ronnie chose to drink and drive throughout his life and we are lucky he didn't kill anybody on the road. Look at the circumstances involving his death. (Not surprising) bar,wreck,fleeing..... All things happen for a reason and people need to learn from this incident. Ronnie was a kind, easy going guy, but so many people are heading down the same "road" that he did. The wages of sin is death.

Posted by: Leslie on Sep 9, 2007 at 10:45 PM
I finally read through all the comments. First off, as a friend of Ronnie's daughter, I want to thank everyone for their kind words of support and compassion. This has, as you can imagine, been a very trying time for his family. Secondly, I would like to state, that I never knew Ronnie, but being around some of the family, I understand that, even though he was not perfect (there was only 1 perfect man who walked this earth, his name was Jesus), he was a good man. While the family tries to sort through all they hear and read, people should understand that not only do we have "freedom of speech" but this is a country based upon justice--and being innocent until proven guilty. Some people have nothing better to do with their time than to try and cause insult to injury. LauraBeth, I just want to say how proud I am of your strength right now, you can truly be looked up to. For now, please pray for the family of Ronnie Bowen.

Posted by: jessica(chain)bowen on Sep 9, 2007 at 12:13 AM
ronnie bowen even though not blood he was my dad i love him so much, and miss him even more.i really wish the news would get facts first before they say something or print something!he did not have any other trouble with anything and he was very intoxicted thats why he ran hell i would have too!if you didnt know the man you shouldnt say anything about him!trust me if you know him you know what im talking about!so many people miss him. he just got lonely sometimes and needed to be around other people. he loved to be around people. he liked to help you out if you needed it. he just didnt get the chance to find the right woman. my husband(nick-hes son)and i will miss him so very much!

Posted by: ME on Sep 8, 2007 at 11:30 AM
there are no cowards here laura beth. Just what do you want someones name and # for? So you can cuss them out and make you feel better. This posting and website is being used exactly for what is, a comments and opinion section. If you or anyone else do not like what is posted DO NOT READ IT!! Otherwise make up a memorial page and leave us to our First Amendment right of free speech. thanks mike from logan

Posted by: Debbie on Sep 8, 2007 at 09:16 AM
I have known Uncle Ron for many years, have helped him many times thru toubled days, but their was not ever once that I knew if I needed a hand he always would go the extra mile. Uncle Ron had days he was not proud of as we all do, but he did know the Bible as his son Adam would verify. He did not lack knowledge only poor judgement at times. Uncle Ron loved his family as much as any other father and grandfather out their. It's so easy for people to sit back and judge someone when you don't even know them or have walked in their shoes. Laura-Beth your father loved all of you dearly and the sad part here is the news only prints or plays what will bring them the most dramatic effects, and they certainly screen the comments, only putting what they want us to hear or see. We never get the real version only the trumped up or worse the things that should be headlines are swept under the rug, hidden under some small second of news or print. I am truly sorry for your loss.

Posted by: Laura on Sep 7, 2007 at 07:20 PM
In response to Me and all the other heartless people who think they are better than everyone else: Whatever happened to the terms "alledged" and "innocent until proven guilty." It doesn't matter what wrongs a person may or may not have committed in their lifetime, everyone is entitled to die and be laid to rest with dignity. In God's eyes we are all sinners, and only He can set us free, only He can judge us. In God's eyes there are no big sins and little sins. Those of you who are judging Ronnie, based on the little bit of information given in this story should be very careful.

Posted by: LauraBeth Bowen on Sep 7, 2007 at 06:52 PM
so it is I Ron's Daughter again I just want to thank those of you that are praying and have good things to say... Gary I don't know you but I want to thank you b/c you made me feel a little bit of warmth. as for the coward that that write the comment and signed it ME... I want to say that the alligations of my father being wanted for other crimes were in deed false and I also want to say that the case is under investigation and at this point in time we are not sure that father did run... he may have been going into the bar to call the police I have been told by other witnesses that when my father ran into the bar he was pushed back out the front door... we are not sure what happened at this point and if you want to say something so brazinly why don't you sign your name to you statments?! again thank you to all who are being supportive in this tragic time in mine and my family's life.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 7, 2007 at 02:51 PM
My heart goes out to you and your family, you all will be in our prayers!!

Posted by: Bobbie on Sep 7, 2007 at 09:16 AM
Laura Beth, Our hearts and prayers are with you. Your dad was a kind and compassionate person. He will be missed.

Posted by: ME on Sep 7, 2007 at 09:12 AM
Just what was wrong with the way the caption was worded in the news?? The man committed a crime and was wanted, ran from the law and ended up dying tragically. Why did he run in the first place. No license, previous convictions, warrants??? Makes you wonder why he didn't stay there and wait on the police!!

Posted by: LauraBeth Bowen-Meade on Sep 7, 2007 at 01:30 AM
why are we not getting the comments that have been submitted for approval? I know of several ppl that have submitted them and we can't see them

Posted by: Kim on Sep 6, 2007 at 09:59 PM
I agree, this story is worded heartlessly. Ron has been having some problems lately - he was the maintenance man for my apartment building where I lived for 2 years, and he had never been anything but kind and helpful to my family and me. In the past couple of weeks, he was so down and he was not himself at all. He would have done anything to help anyone, and I hope he knew how much he was appreciated. He was a really likeable guy and I am so shocked and saddened by this tragic death. My thoughts and prayers are with his children - Adam, Nick, and Leslie - and all who loved him.

Posted by: Gary Houck on Sep 6, 2007 at 02:42 PM
YOU HAVE JUST LOST A VIEWER FOR CHANNEL 3 I HAVE WORKED IN YOUR T-V STATION FOR 30 YRS, AS I AM A RETIRE FROM C&P TEL AND VERIZON. WHERE IS YOUR COMPASION.

Posted by: Amy on Sep 6, 2007 at 01:52 PM
Laura Beth, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. My prayers are with you and your family. I agree that this was a very heartless story and I think you have every right to be upset. I expect better from WSAZ. This was quite a disappointment. May God bless you during your time of grief!

Posted by: Anonymous in Ohio on Sep 6, 2007 at 01:01 PM
My heart goes out to the family.

Posted by: Heather on Sep 6, 2007 at 11:21 AM
I really do think that you need to take this story and reword it! Man wanted and now dead?!? What if it were your family? Compassion goes a long way so next time you get your big "Headline" maybe you need to think about the story as if it were happning to you before you even think about wording something that way!

Posted by: Tamara on Sep 6, 2007 at 10:13 AM
My sympathies go out to Mr. Bowen's family.

Posted by: LauraBeth Bowen on Sep 6, 2007 at 04:32 AM
so I wake up at 4:00 this morning Hoping this was all a very bad fream and collaps.... I run in hear to turn it on to see that is real..... and this is still what I read!!!! HE IS DEAD as if it is being shoved in my face!!!! to know that my dad is still not hear on this earth and that I am still am going to have to tell my 4 year old daughter that her Paw-Paw went to live with Jesus aqnd that she can never se him again... Good thing can NOT read yet Signed tears on the keyboard~ AKA Ronnie's daughter

Posted by: Karen on Sep 6, 2007 at 01:58 AM
My heart and prayers go out to this man and his famliy. I hope they find out the truth of what happened. And if someone did this they need to be caught and pay for this mans death!!!!

Posted by: Louise on Sep 5, 2007 at 11:55 PM
He was wanted and now he is dead. Ever heard of respect, compassion, unconditional love. I think not. This man had a family who loved him no matter what he did. Can you imagine how the are feeling right now and then they read that. Read up on empathy, humanity. And we wonder why the world is like it is today.

Posted by: LauraBeth on Sep 5, 2007 at 10:46 PM
1st off let me say that the way this is worded is very emotionless and I am sick to my stomach that you would put it out there like that! this "dead man" that you speek of is my daddy my FATHER.... I am so inferrated at the way you have worded this like he was a mennis or something in a manner of oh at least we don;t have to deal with it anymore... you don't even know the half of it my dad was a good guy! also let me say that before I even knew that the body had been IDed as my dad that I got a phone call from the reportes wanting a statment! how wqould that make you feel? the Med EX hadn;t even called yet or anything! my father was agood man and those of you that never got a chancce to meet him missed out on something good! I hate that you can't see that.. why don't you try t show a little more compassion next time you do a story.. family may be watching ang you didnot make me or my family feel the least bit like you even cared! it wasn't fishermen that found him it was his nephew

Posted by: Leslie on Sep 5, 2007 at 10:30 PM
I am so sorry for this story, please, keep in mind Mr. Bowen's children and grandchildren.

Posted by: James on Sep 5, 2007 at 06:09 PM
Ron was my best friend. He was a kind hearted person. Its so sad. Sometimes life is hard...and takes its toil.

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