By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen
Vallejo Times Herald
Copyright 2007 The Vallejo Times Herald
VALLEJO, Calif. — Police have determined that a Medic Ambulance driver was partly at fault for a crash that hurled the emergency vehicle into a Vallejo house last month, a Vallejo Police Department spokesman said Monday.
Lt. Rick Nichelman said an investigation into the accident found EMT Owen Goodrum of Vallejo, 22, who was behind the wheel of the ambulance, “was traveling at a speed excessive for the conditions.”
Goodrum, who was going about 50 mph, also erred by passing improperly, Nichelman indicated.
The speed limit is 30 mph on Redwood Street where the accident happened, a Vallejo traffic officer said.
The 8:30 a.m. Sept. 13 crash happened when a 2003 silver Chevy Tahoe stopped to make a left turn at De Anza Drive with the ambulance directly behind it, lights flashing and siren blaring. The emergency vehicle clipped the Tahoe and then slammed into a home’s garage.
The Tahoe’s driver, Minerva Rodrigues, 35, also of Vallejo, told police at the time that she didn’t realize there was an ambulance behind her. Motorists are required to pull over to the right when emergency vehicles with sirens and lights are nearby.
Rodriques’ actions were found to have contributed to the crash, Nichelman said.
Since there was no reason to believe alcohol was a factor, no sobriety tests were conducted, he said. Nichelman added that he didn’t know Monday if either driver had been ticketed, but “based on these findings, they probably will be.”
“You don’t get a free pass just because you have lights and a siren,” Nichelman said. “You still have to abide by a modicum of the rules of the road.”
No one from Medic Ambulance returned calls for comment Monday.
No one was badly injured in the crash.
A Vallejo fire engine was also found to be speeding when it crashed into a building July 5.
Investigators estimated the engine was traveling 49 mph to 89 mph - nearly twice the 25 mph posted limit — when it crashed into R & R Tire and Brake Service at Fifth Street and Solano Avenue. It was heading to a structure fire that morning.
Firefighters reportedly are advised to drive no more than 10 mph over the speed limit at any time.