DRIVER FAILS TO YIELD FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE; COLLIDES WITH AMBULANCE

September 22, 2002 – A driver exiting Interstate 80 at the Sierra Street off ramp this evening failed to yield for a REMSA (Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority) ambulance transporting a critically ill patient to the hospital. The ambulance, traveling Code 3, with lights and sirens, was proceeding south on Sierra Street after having stopped at the intersection per REMSA procedure. The driver, who was cited by the Reno Police Department for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle collided with the ambulance at approximately 7:15 p.m., September 22, 2002 at the right rear quarter panel of the ambulance.

The patient being transported was not injured from the collision. REMSA Paramedic Paul Stuto and EMT II Kila Banner both were treated for minor injuries at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and were released. The driver of the vehicle that collided with the ambulance was not injured.

The incident is under investigation by the Reno Police Department.

REMSA encourages drivers to remain vigilant at the wheel and to remember to move to the right and stop when emergency vehicles are approaching with lights and sirens.

REMSA is a private, not-for-profit emergency medical services system serving northern Nevada and northern California. REMSA’s state of the art 9-1-1 dispatch communications center is internationally accredited, as are all emergency medical transport services of the company. REMSA provides quality patient care with no taxpayer support or other subsidies.

450 Edison Way Reno, Nevada 89502 (775)858-5700 Fax (775)858-5720