Bradley Massman – mlive.com
WAYNE COUNTY, MI – An investigation is underway after a paramedic driving an ambulance hit several parked vehicles in a drunk driving crash.
The paramedic, who has been with the Detroit Fire Department for six years, was placed on unpaid leave pending further review. Officials did not name the individual under investigation.
The crash happened around 1:10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 1, near Carpenter Avenue and Klinger Street in Hamtramck.
Detroit fire officials provided details about the crash Friday afternoon in a statement.
The paramedic was driving an ambulance when he side-swiped three parked vehicles, the department said. At the time of the incident, a patient was in the back of the ambulance. The patient was not injured.
The driver stopped and waited for police to arrive.
As part of department protocols, the paramedic was taken to a clinic to be tested. Fire officials determined he was under the influence of alcohol at the time.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy for the use of alcohol while on duty and will take the appropriate action,” Detroit Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms said in a statement. “We have an outstanding team of EMTs and paramedics at DFD and it’s unfortunate that this incident detracts from the lifesaving work they do every day.”
The paramedic has had no prior accidents or alcohol related incidents, officials said.
“We have programs and supportive services in place for our employees who may be struggling with issues such as alcohol dependency and we will redouble our efforts to make sure any employee who may need them are aware of how to access them,” Simms added.
Statement from the Detroit Fire Department
As part of it commitment to transparency, the Detroit Fire Department is providing details of an incident from last night involving and EMS paramedic.
At approximately 1:10 AM on Friday, December 1, a paramedic with six years with the department was driving an ambulance at Carpenter and Klinger in the city of Hamtramck when he side swiped three parked vehicles. The driver stopped and waited for Hamtramck police to arrive.
At the time of the incident, a Priority 2 patient was in the back of the ambulance and was not injured.
Per DFD protocols, the paramedic was taken to a clinic to be tested and it was determined he was under the influence of alcohol at the time. He was immediately placed on unpaid leave pending further review.
This employee has had no prior accidents or alcohol related incidents.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy for the use of alcohol while on duty and will take the appropriate action,” said Commissioner Chuck Simms. “We have an outstanding team of EMTs and paramedics at DFD and it’s unfortunately that this incident detracts from the lifesaving work they do every day. We have programs and supportive services in place for our employees who may be struggling with issues such as alcohol dependency and we will redouble our efforts to make sure any employee who may need them are aware of how to access them.”
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