By Shaun Bishop
San Jose Mercury News
PALO ALTO, Calif. — A patient who was riding in a private ambulance Monday in Palo Alto suffered major injuries after the vehicle hit a tree and rolled onto its side on University Avenue, authorities said.
The 56-year-old woman was taken to Stanford Hospital after the crash at about 11 a.m. and authorities said she was in critical condition.
Three ambulance workers were also taken to the hospital with minor injuries from the accident, which occurred just east of Chaucer Street and shut down two blocks of University until about 2:15 p.m.
The injured patient was being transported from Concord to a “routine medical appointment” in Palo Alto, said Palo Alto police Detective Brian Philip.
Witnesses told police the ambulance, owned by Concord-based Bay Medic, was driving 30-35 mph westbound on University with its sirens and flashing lights off when it veered off the right side of the road, hit a tree and flipped onto its left side.
Police and firefighters responded within minutes and closed off the roadway, Philip said.
The ambulance workers suffered mostly scrapes and bruises, Philip said. Bay Medic officials were not immediately available for comment.
Investigators are not yet sure what caused the crash. Philip said the road was wet at the time, which may have been a factor.
“It’s a little bit more difficult to determine” because only one vehicle was involved, Philip said. “Normally when you have two cars, there’s usually someone at fault.”
The closure of University caused traffic back-ups in nearby downtown Palo Alto, especially on Hamilton Avenue where traffic was being diverted around the incident, Philip said.
He urged all motorists to use extra caution when driving in wet weather.
“When it rains and everything’s wet, slow down and pay attention to where you’re driving,” Philip said.