Lawsuit Claims Medical Negligence Contributed to death of Nichelle⁤ Nichols

Las Cruces, NM -​ A lawsuit filed ‍this week alleges medical​ negligence ‍contributed to the death of Nichelle ⁤Nichols, the groundbreaking actress best known for her role as Lt. Uhura ⁣on the original Star Trek series.⁢ Nichols died July 30, 2022, at the age ‍of 89. The suit, ⁤filed by her son, Kyle Johnson, accuses Guadalupe County Hospital ⁢(GRMC) of failing to provide adequate medical care.

The lawsuit centers on an incident in​ July 2022,when Nichols was transported by ambulance to GRMC experiencing sudden heart problems.According to the complaint, the hospital did not⁣ perform necessary‍ cardiac work and instead ⁢placed her in an observation unit. Johnson alleges his mother required transfer to a facility ​with cardiology specialists and appropriate diagnostic equipment, a transfer that did not occur in a timely manner.

“Nichelle was taken ‍in by ambulance because she was having sudden heart problems. They didn’t do cardiac work on her, and that was ​needed. They‍ put her⁣ in an​ observation unit,which is not where she needed ⁤to‍ go. She needed to get ⁣transferred to ⁢Las Cruces, where⁤ they have cardiologists on staff and on call and the right equipment just to diagnose her and take care of her,” Johnson told⁤ KOAT.

The ⁢complaint further alleges a broader concern about healthcare quality in ‌the region, with⁢ johnson stating, ​”We have to have access⁢ to quality health care. We can’t allow these big corporations⁤ to‌ come in and take money out⁤ of our state and give us crappy health care. it’s wrong.”

Nichols’ legacy extends far⁣ beyond⁤ her iconic role in‌ science fiction.‌ A dedicated civil rights activist, she was encouraged by Martin Luther King Jr. to remain on Star Trek ⁣ to present a positive image of a Black woman in a position of authority. “She wanted to leave ‘Star Trek’ and go do a Broadway play,but⁣ Martin Luther ​King Jr.⁣ called ​her and said,‍ ‘We need ⁣you,’ as she worked in the civil rights movement.’We⁢ need you to stay on ⁤television because you show us an intelligent black woman can do things in the world,'” Johnson recounted⁢ to KOAT. ​

Later in life, Nichols became ⁤a NASA ambassador, actively ⁢recruiting women and minorities to apply ‌to the space program.

GRMC’s attorney, Ryan Clement, has not yet responded to requests for comment from KOAT.

This ​is a developing story. Stay updated with the KOAT app, available for download⁢ here.