WAGNER, S.D. — A front-seat passenger in a Wagner S.D. ambulance sustained serious, non-life threatening injuries when the ambulance was struck by a semi truck that failed to stop at an intersection.
Four people, including a patient, were in the ambulance which had its emergency lights activated, reported the Daily Republic. Two men were in the semi truck. All vehicle occupants were wearing seatbelts, according to South Dakota Department of Public Safety Spokesman Tony Mangan.
Phyllis Wurtz, 48, the injured ambulance passenger is a relative of the patient who was being transported from Wagner Community Memorial Hospital to Sioux Falls, S.D.
The ambulance was traveling eastbound on S.D. Highway 46, while the semi truck was traveling north on S.D. Highway 50 approaching S.D. Highway 46. The semi truck failed to stop or yield at the posted stop sign. Consequently, the two collided, sending the ambulance into the north ditch, where it rolled one time and came to rest on its wheels in the ditch, which was about two feet deep with water.
The three other ambulance occupants, including the driver, Debra Headley, 49; EMT Tara Kaup, 41, and the patient Annie Wurtz, 66 sustained minor injuries from the collision. The driver of the semi truck had no injuries and his passenger sustained minor injuries.
The investigation is ongoing, but Mangan said alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash. Officials were unable to provide a speed for both vehicles at the time of the crash.
Other responding departments included Charles Mix County Sheriff’s Office, the Wagner Police Department, Lake Andes Ambulance and Wagner Fire Department. Highway Patrol also responded.