The Associated Press

MUNCIE, Ind. — An ambulance carrying a woman to the hospital collided with another vehicle after going the wrong way on a one-way street for about two blocks, authorities said.

The Delaware County EMS ambulance had its lights flashing, but its siren was turned off, a common practice near a patient's home in order to protect the patient's privacy, said Tim Hutson, executive director for the emergency medical service.

"It would have been nice to have the siren on," Hutson said. "We try to be a little careful in neighborhoods and right in front of residences. Safety's always foremost in our minds. ... Obviously there was a breakdown in safety, and I want to make sure that's addressed and we don't run into that situation again."

Indiana law allows an ambulance to go the wrong way on a one-way street in an emergency situation.

Monday's collision happened at the corner of Mulberry and North streets nine minutes after the woman called 911 complaining of chest discomfort. Hutson said EMT and ambulance driver Ryan Reagan went one block too far east, then turned around and drove back to the woman's home facing west, the wrong way.

Reagan and paramedic Greg Michael treated the woman inside her house and then put her into the ambulance and continued west. Reagan was reaching over to turn the siren on when the crash occurred, Hutson said.

"It's one of those horrible things that just happens. ... It's an accident. He wasn't driving recklessly," Hutson said.

Reagan was not ticketed by police and is not subject to any administrative punishment, Hutson said.

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The woman in the ambulance and the woman driving the other vehicle were taken to the hospital for treatment. Their names and conditions weren't released by police.