HORRY COUNTY, S.C. — An Horry County Fire Rescue (HCFR) worker has been cited after an ambulance was involved in an accident on Highway 905 Sunday night while transporting a patient.
Other HCFR crews responded to the accident and found the medic unit on its side and a second vehicle in a ditch, according to an HCFR alert, reported WMBF.
HCFR crews quickly accessed both vehicles and extricated all patients. Three patients from the ambulance and two from the other vehicle were transported to a nearby hospital, and are currently in stable condition.
Sheri Debari, 43, was ticketed by the South Carolina Highway Patrol for disregarding a stop sign, according to Corporal Sonny Collins. The ambulance disregarded the stop sign on Freemont Road and hit the vehicle traveling down Highway 905, Collins said.
When an emergency vehicle comes to a traffic light or stop sign, they have to be able to slow down, so they can stop if traffic is coming, Collins said. They are only able to disregard a red light or stop sign if it’s safe to do so.
Battalion Chief Brian Van Aernem with HCFR said that a safety panel is reviewing the incident, and will make recommendations to the individual and/or department.