By EMS1 Staff
NEW YORK — A man has been charged with stealing an ambulance and killing an FDNY EMT by running her over Thursday night.
amNewYork reported that Jose Gonzales was riding on the back of the ambulance when someone flagged down the driver, Yadira Arroyo, 44, to tell her Gonzales was on the bumper. They were in the process of responding to a call.
When Arroyo got out of the ambulance, Gonzales got into the driver’s seat of the rig. Arroyo and her EMT partner on board, a 30-year-old female, struggled with Gonzales and tried to pull him out of the ambulance. He put the rig in reverse and knocked her to the ground.
He then drove over Arroyo and continued to drive until he struck two parked cars and came to a rest.
Gonzales attempted to flee, but a police officer and other bystanders held him down. He was charged with murder, grand larceny and operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs, according to the report.
Arroyo, a mother of five and 14-year veteran, was pronounced dead at the hospital. Arroyo’s partner was taken to the hospital with neck and shoulder injuries.
“They were acting very bravely,” FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said. “This person had no business being in the ambulance.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio said responders should never have to be subjected to violence.
“They do crucial work … they save lives. And yet that danger always exists for them,” he said.
Following Arroyo’s death, the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, known as Answer the Call, will donate $25,000 to Arroyo’s family.