The Paducah Sun (Kentucky)
Copyright 2007 The Paducah Sun
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
CLINTON, Ky. — A hearing will be held on May 21 to determine if formal administrative charges should be filed against John Snow, a Clinton-Hickman County ambulance worker who posted photographs of accident victims on the Internet.
The Kentucky Board of Emergency Management Services, which oversees certification of emergency service workers, filed a complaint against Snow in February accusing him of unethical behavior. Among other concerns was that the Internet postings violated victims’ privacy rights.
Snow acknowledged that he posted photos of at least three local accident victims on a Web site that he maintained, including a close-up of a head injury. That person died after being struck by a falling tree. He said the other photos were the victims of a motorcycle accident and a gunshot wound.
After the family of one of the victims complained, he removed the pictures from the Internet.
An investigation into the complaint has been completed and evidence gathered will be presented to a three-member review board. “It is like an administrative grand jury,” said Mary Jennings, legal adviser to the board. “The panel will decide if there’s enough evidence to indicate that a violation occurred.”
If board members do find sufficient evidence, an administrative hearing will be held at which both sides will present evidence. The hearing officer could dismiss the charges or level punishment ranging from a reprimand to suspension of his license as an emergency medical technician.
Snow has worked for the ambulance service for 10 years.