A man who was 70 years old passed away after he exited a moving ambulance on a Florida interstate and got hit by multiple vehicles on Tuesday, as stated by authorities.
As reported by TCPalm.com, the incident took place around 9 p.m. EDT on Interstate 95 in Port St. Lucie. The ambulance was headed south, and the patient, a resident of Jacksonville, came out of the back doors of the vehicle.
The man fell onto the highway and was unfortunately struck by several vehicles, including a 2023 Kia sedan and a 2020 Volvo tractor, according to the information provided by the news outlet.
Following the incident, the ambulance driver, a 38-year-old woman from Orange Park, pulled over on the southbound outer shoulder of I-95.
According to a news release by Lt. Indiana Miranda from the Florida Highway Patrol, the man was declared deceased at the scene, as reported by WPTV.
During the incident, a 29-year-old paramedic who attempted to prevent the man from exiting “also ended up falling onto the roadway,” stated Miranda. This paramedic was transported to HCA Florida Lawnwood Medical Hospital in Fort Pierce with injuries considered to be life-threatening, as reported by TCPalm.com.
It was clarified by Brenda Smith, a spokesperson from the St. Lucie County Fire District, that the ambulance was not affiliated with their district. The destination of the ambulance was not known to officials.
The names of the man, the paramedic, and the ambulance driver have not been disclosed. Investigations are still underway.
