Wednesday, September 1, 2010
NORMAN PARK, Aug 31, 2010 (The Moultrie Observer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
An ambulance responding to a call Thursday afternoon was damaged in a two-vehicle accident and will be out of service for a few weeks.
Georgia State Patrol Trooper First Class Chad Wynn said he was called to an accident at the Cool Springs Road and Doc Darbyshire Road intersection in Norman Park at 2:18 p.m. Thursday. A Colquitt County EMS ambulance, driven by William Houston, 30, of Norman Park, was driving on Cool Springs Road responding to a medical call.
As the ambulance was driving on Cool Springs Road, Wynn said a Windstream work van, driven by Timothy Morgan, 47, of Moultrie, was stopped at the Doc Darbyshire Road intersection. Morgan told Wynn he had stopped to make a left turn onto Doc Darbyshire Road while Houston stated he thought the van was stopping to let him pass.
As the ambulance went to pass the van, Wynn said Morgan began to make the left turn, and the two vehicles collided. The right front corner of the van hit the left rear corner of the ambulance, and the van spun around, and both vehicles went onto the shoulder of Doc Darbyshire Road.
The van overturned following the collision, and Morgan was taken to Colquitt Regional Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. A hospital spokesperson said he was treated and released Friday.
Morgan stated he did not see or hear the ambulance coming as he turned even though its lights and siren were activated, Wynn said. Neither driver was charged, but it was determined both were at fault in the collision. Morgan was cited for making an improper turn and Houston was cited for not showing due regard for other vehicles.
The van was totaled in the collision and was towed from the scene, but Wynn said the ambulance was able to be driven away. A second ambulance was needed to respond to the medical call.
Colquitt County EMS Director Amy Williams said the ambulance involved in the collision is out of service for repairs, which should take two to three weeks to complete. Even without the ambulance, EMS has enough ambulances available and in back-up to respond to all medical calls without any interruption of service to residents.
