Four Injured In Ambulance Crash (With Gallery)

October 22, 2012

Four people were injured in a crash involving an ambulance this morning in Century.

The accident happened about 8:15 a.m. when an Escambia County EMS unit received an emergency call to Century Care Center while in the parking lot of the Whataburger on North Century Boulevard, just south of East Highway 4.

Ambulance driver Brenda Matthews, age 32 of Cantonment, activated the emergency lights and sirens on the ambulance and stopped at the stop sign while exiting the parking lot onto Highway 29, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Traffic in the northbound lanes stopped to allow the ambulance to proceed. Matthews did not see a 2004 Chevrolet SUV and begin to cross over the northbound lanes to turn south, with the front of the ambulance colliding with the side of the SUV.

Matthews was at fault in the crash, according to the FHP, because the SUV driver had not been given the opportunity to observe the ambulance and safely stop or continue. She was not cited, according to a FHP release.

Matthews and the other ambulance crew member, 48-year old Gary Straughn of Pace, were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.

The driver of the SUV, 80-year old Barney Cash of Century, was transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. His passenger, 53-year old Clifton Underwood, Jr. of Century, was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.

For a photo gallery, click here.

Pictured: Four people were injured in this wreck involving an Escambia County EMS unit Monday morning in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

7 Responses to “Four Injured In Ambulance Crash (With Gallery)”

  1. William on October 24th, 2012 7:59 pm

    >>>could you change ambulance driver to EMT or emergency medical technician. They work hard for there certs and deserve to be called more than ambulance drivers. Thanks.

    I don’t disagree about the certifications and hard work. I appreciate each one of them.

    But, no, I won’t change it. “EMT driver” would not make a bit of sense in the story where “Ambulance driver” was used. It’s no different than using “SUV driver” later in the story — it’s identifying her as the driver of the ambulance, not her career.

  2. Nobody on October 24th, 2012 7:54 pm

    could you change ambulance driver to EMT or emergency medical technician. They work hard for there certs and deserve to be called more than ambulance drivers. Thanks.

  3. Hmmm. on October 23rd, 2012 10:17 pm

    I was going down Mobile Hwy this afternoon and a Ambulance was coming down the road sirens just a blasting and not the first light on. Even though I seen him up ahead myself and others on the hwy. were wrenching our necks trying to see where it was coming from because we could see no lights.

  4. Really? on October 23rd, 2012 8:25 pm

    Everyone else was stopped….so this person wasn’t paying attention to the lights & sirens! I see this every day! Pay attention people!! I hope whomever the ambulance was going after, the reason for the call, are okay!!

  5. someones cares on October 23rd, 2012 11:15 am

    With lights and sirens going and other traffic stop where was this guy’s mind sure not on the traffic I hope all get better quick.

  6. a neighbor on October 23rd, 2012 9:42 am

    Mr. Underwood is my neighbor. I hope he is doing o.k. going to call the hospital today to make shure he is o.k. keeping him in my prayers

  7. tara smith on October 22nd, 2012 8:18 pm

    Mr Cash, I am beyond glad you are ok !!!!!