A man in Ruskin, Florida, is facing multiple serious charges after he allegedly chased down an ambulance and deliberately crashed into it. At the time, as per the authorities, the ambulance was transporting a patient to a local hospital.
According to a press release issued by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), the incident occurred on Thursday, June 25. At around 10:50 p.m., Hillsborough County Fire Rescue received a medical call from a home in Ruskin.
Upon arrival, paramedics began providing emergency medical care to a female patient. At the scene, 35-year-old Johnny Arman, also a resident, was present.
As per the HCSO, things were tense from the get-go. Arman is accused of becoming hostile toward the paramedics. This attitude, however, would only be the first step in what eventually became a very violent and dangerous night.
Quick Escalation
Arman was told to stay back and not to interfere. However, he allegedly refused to follow orders, even going as far as attempting to “force his way into the ambulance.”
He was unsuccessful, however, as the paramedics didn’t allow him inside the emergency vehicle. They drove away, leaving the house behind, thinking they were doing the same for Arman.
That was not the case. Arman got in his vehicle and proceeded to follow the ambulance toward the hospital, the sheriff’s office said.
Ambulance Crash
The ambulance continued on its way to the hospital. When it reached Upper Creek Drive near Galen Court, things, once again, escalated.
Arman allegedly used his vehicle to block the ambulance’s path. If that was not enough, the HCSO said that he accelerated his vehicle toward it. At the time, two paramedics and the patient were inside it.
The ambulance driver attempted to avoid a collision, to no avail. Arman allegedly struck the ambulance with his car, “forcing it off the roadway and into multiple utility boxes and a utility pole.”
Damages, Charges
As a result of the collision, the HCSO reported more than $100,000 in damages. These include damage to utility infrastructure and the responses from TECO and Sepctrum, whose presence was required to repair the damaged equipment.
Johnny Arman was placed under arrest. He is charged with 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, and burglary of an authorized emergency vehicle.
“This suspect’s actions went far beyond obstructing first responders,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “[…] Emergency responders should never have to fear being attacked while performing their duties.”
The incident remains under investigation.