ThisWeek Community Newspapers (Columbus, OH)

TWHS dean suffers injury in fall
Police look into whether he fell or was pushed down stairs

By CANDY BROOKS

ThisWeek Staff Writer

Published: November 27, 2008
Edition: Worthington
Section: News
Page: 01A



A Thomas Worthington High School dean is recovering at home after he either fell or was pushed down a flight of stairs at the school last Thursday. Peter Bluvol, 42, was checking the main gymnasium after discovering a door had been left unlocked when he tumbled down the concrete steps at the north end of the gym at 8:50 a.m. on Nov. 20.

He suffered a severe concussion and bruises and is expected to return to work next week.

Police are investigating the incident as a possible felonious assault. Bluvol said he was pushed when school officials discovered him at the foot of the stairs.

"He took such a tumble, it's difficult to get any more information," said Worthington Police Lt. Doug Francis.

Sgt. James Mosic said police are following up on leads, and have someone they are looking at, though no suspects had been interviewed as of Monday.

"We are still following up on leads and believe he was pushed down the steps," Mosic said.

School officials are also following up on leads, but are still not certain that a crime occurred.

"He thought that he may have been pushed, but he is still fairly incoherent," district spokesperson Vicki Gnezda said on Monday.

If Bluvol was pushed, it was clearly a crime of opportunity, not a set-up, Francis said. Bluvol does not recall any confrontations with students in the area or near the time of the fall, he said.

According to the police report, Bluvol entered the dark gym and walked up the south stairs to the second-floor mezzanine, and walked northward along the upper stands to the north stairwell.

He was attempting to walk down when he heard a male voice. He said he did not recognize the voice or comprehend what it said.

"He said he was then pushed from behind and awoke at the bottom of the stairs," the report states.

He used his cell phone to call the main office and the student services office, and was found by student resource officer John Staten.

Staten said Bluvol could not tell him if he was at the top or middle of the stairs when he tumbled.

He also told police he did not remember making the phone calls to the school offices.

He was taken to Ohio State University Hospital, where he was treated and dismissed.

According to the police report, he was in a lot of pain and the area around his eyes was swollen and he complained of a severe headache.




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