TRAA paramedics are trained to handle being in an accident

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Three Rivers Ambulance Authority drives 40,000 miles a month in ambulance calls, each time at risk in getting into an accident, which happened early Saturday morning.

TRAA officials said the ambulance was going through an intersection when it was hit by a car. The car was driven by Garrett Edward Wagner, 22, of Elmhurst, Illinois. He was transported to the hospital and later arrested on charges of Operating While Intoxicated and OWI Endangerment.

"If we are involved in an accident, we treat it like a run we are on already," said TRAA spokesperson Mike Gillespie. "We get out and render aid to the other victim, or the patient in back or to our partner."

The accident happened a couple hours before an ambulance accident in Indianapolis. Officials said an accused drunk driver hit an ambulance, killing two paramedics.

"If we not able to get out of the truck or move, that's what it is, we become the victims and we need the rescuing," said Gillespie.

Gillespie said paramedic deaths are most related to ambulances getting into an accident. Raquel Foster, Fort Wayne Police Department spokesperson, said most of these incidents involves a drunk driver. She said drivers are usually good about pulling over to the right and letting them through, but there are penalties involved if you don't pull over.

"It's a Class "C" infraction, which is a fine, your license can be suspended if you cause injury to an emergency worker," Foster said.