Brandon Rollins, a freshman from Texarkana, Texas, fell two stories from the second floor of the residence hall to the basement in the northeast elevator shaft. He was transported by Emerson Ambulance to St. Bernard’s Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro, and later airlifted to University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Hospital in Little Rock.

He underwent surgery to treat his injuries Wednesday, Nov. 6, and continues to recover at UAMS.

Elevator maintenance personnel were on the scene immediately following the accident. ThyssenKrupp Elevator representatives, the Arkansas State Elevator Inspector and the University Police Department continued to take witness statements and inspect the incident scene for several days.

According to the reports, the doors were not damaged prior to the evening of Nov. 5, and were jarred off the door track at the time of the incident.

"Looking at the bottom edge of the hall door that was out of the sill (door track), I saw that the door was bent in a manner consistent with being kicked or rammed from the hall causing the hall doors to be forced towards the hoistway (elevator shaft)," according to a report completed by Chris Newlin of ThyssenKrupp. "The door, being loose on the bottom, would allow a person to fall through the doors if a person had enough momentum to force the doors back."

Larry Smothers, the state investigator, concluded similar findings.

"Inspection of equipment (mechanical and electrical) appeared to be in normal working order, no code violations found," Smothers said.

University officials continue to monitor the Rollins’ recovery.

"Safety is always a top priority with this university, and always has been and will continue to be," Lori Roach, safety and health coordinator at the university, said.

"Safety is always paramount," Dr. Rick Stripling, vice chancellor for student affairs, added. "Anytime we have reports of mechanical errors or any problems, we make an immediate attempt to correct the error. The students at Arkansas State University are the most important reason we’re here."

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