CARROLL, Iowa — A Carroll County paramedic received a 10-day jail sentence for his role in a deadly crash between a semitruck and ambulance.
Prosecutors said Robert Genzen was driving the ambulance at 90 mph before it rear-ended the semi last May along Highway 30 in Boone County.
The crash killed paramedic Sheryl Stoolman and patient Norbert Hoffman. Genzen and paramedic Wendy Baker were both injured.
“He should have been slowing down much sooner. There was no visual obstructions or anything like that,” said Assistant County Attorney Daniel Gonnerman.
Genzen was trying to get around a semi attempting to make a left-hand turn, just as Genzen started to go to the right, so too did the semi driver.
Gonnerman said the airbag module from the ambulance recorded the speeds before the crash. Five seconds before the impact, Genzen was driving 85 mph; in the final second, he had slowed to 58 mph.
“Perhaps he was unsure if the semi was stopped or moving, but in any event he didn’t slow down soon enough to avoid this accident,” said Gonnerman.
Genzen’s attorney, Scott Rhinehart, said in a phone interview that the jail sentence and fine will have a chilling effect and could change the way paramedics respond in an emergency.
But emergency responders KCCI talked to said they are not above the law.
“It was tragic and (I) think everyone stopped to reflect on when they drive and just think about how fast they’re going,” said Lisa Whitaker with Story County Medical Center.
Whitaker said those driving an ambulance can’t predict what another driver will do, which is why they must be vigilant.
“Hopefully, if you’re driving down the road with lights and sirens and you’re in your lane, (you hope) that people will pull over, but you have to be aware that they may not and be prepared for that,” said Whitaker.
The judge suspended the 10-day sentence, so as long as Genzen completes his probation he won’t spend any time in jail.
His attorney said they’re appealing the decision.
Gonnerman said if the appeal is successful, they will file additional charges including failure to maintain control and to stop within a safe distance.
Republished with permission from KCCI