After son’s death in apartment laundry room, Durham mother files lawsuit

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — Debra Davies has faced significant challenges since the death of her son, Jason Pulliam, who was 39 years old when he died in November 2024.

Read more ‘Why on earth was he driving the bus?’: Neighbors shocked after party bus driver plows through Raleigh home, gets DWI charge

“I am just managing to stay focused on fighting for Jason,” she stated.

Davies has filed a wrongful death lawsuit, claiming that Pulliam died after becoming trapped inside the laundry room of the Ashton Place apartment complex and was unable to receive timely medical help. She explains that both her son and another resident were in the laundry room without their cell phones.

“The first lady who was doing laundry when my son had his medical emergency began banging on the door, trying to get someone’s attention from the outside,” Davies said. “Everyone outside was afraid to go in because they didn’t know what was happening. If there had been a glass panel, they could have seen my son lying on the floor.”

According to the lawsuit, Pulliam, who had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, suffered a severe medical emergency in November of 2024. Davies adds that residents use a key fob to access the laundry room and use the door handle to exit. She states that the door malfunctioned on that day.

“I want them to be held accountable for what happened to my son,” she emphasized.

Fortunately, two other residents entered the laundry room with their cell phones and called 911 for help.

“They worked on him for a long time, trying their best to revive him, but they said he had gone too long without oxygen. They pronounced him dead right here,” Davies recounted.

Read more Arrest made in 25-year-old Selma rape and kidnapping cold case, police say

Several months after the incident, Davies, along with family and friends, held a balloon release in honor of what would have been Jason’s 40th birthday.

“He was an old soul and talked to anyone,” said Pulliam’s sister, Katonya Gary.

“He was my baby. He was the youngest in the family,” said Davies.

Since her son’s death, Davies has helped launch a tenant organization called Ashton Seniors in Action.

“My son should not have died in that laundry room. There’s no way to justify it,” Davies asserted.

Davies points out that when the incident occurred, there was no window in the laundry door, and she fought for a full glass panel door after Jason was trapped. She says it took almost a year of rejection before they installed a small glass panel.

“I’m going to keep fighting for justice for Jason and for these seniors who live here,” she stated. 

Davies’ attorney, Lee Rodio, believes the evidence supports their lawsuit.

In response to the lawsuit, attorney Jack B. Bayliss Jr., representing all defendants, said, “A free press is key to a free country, but lawsuits should proceed through the court system. My clients will be responding to the complaint and defending the case, which will be a matter of public record.”

Read more Tuesday to kick off big warmup in central NC as heat, humidity surge back