Man deliberately rams ambulance carrying patient in Ruskin, Florida — arrested

A 35-year-old man in Ruskin, Florida was arrested after following an ambulance and intentionally crashing into it, endangering paramedics and their patient.

Ruskin man follows ambulance, rams it off road with patient on board

A 35-year-old man has been arrested in Ruskin, Florida, after deliberately ramming an ambulance that was transporting a patient to hospital, mysuncoast.com reports. The incident, which caused more than $100,000 in damage to utility infrastructure, has drawn sharp condemnation from local law enforcement.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said its deputies were called after Hillsborough County Fire Rescue responded to a medical call at a private residence at around 10:50 p.m. on Thursday. While paramedics were treating the patient, Johnny Arman became hostile and repeatedly attempted to force his way into the ambulance, ignoring commands to stand back.

When the ambulance departed with the patient on board, Arman got into his own vehicle and followed it toward the hospital. The confrontation came to a head on Upper Creek Drive near Galen Court, where Arman used his vehicle to block the ambulance's path before accelerating directly into it.

The ambulance driver attempted to steer clear of the collision, but Arman's vehicle struck the ambulance and forced it off the road, where it collided with multiple utility boxes and a utility pole. Two Hillsborough County Fire Rescue paramedics and the patient were inside at the time. The sheriff's office did not confirm whether any of them sustained injuries.

TECO and Spectrum crews were dispatched to repair the damaged utility equipment.

Sheriff Chad Chronister condemned the attack in a statement: "This suspect's actions went far beyond obstructing first responders. He deliberately targeted an ambulance carrying a patient in need of medical care, putting the lives of paramedics, the patient, and everyone on the roadway in jeopardy. Emergency responders should never have to fear being attacked while performing their duties."

Arman now faces a range of charges, including two counts of aggravated battery on a firefighter with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, two counts of unlawfully impeding, threatening or harassing a first responder, criminal mischief of $1,000 or more, and burglary of an authorised emergency vehicle.

The sheriff's office said the investigation remains ongoing.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)