Duty Death: Gina Ayres - [Roswell]
End of Service: 17/11/2022
By Leila Merrill
EMS1
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Central EMS EMT-Intermediate Gina Ayres, 57, died after her ambulance was hit head-on by a vehicle Thursday morning while responding to a call, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Shortly before 7 a.m., the Central EMS ambulance was traveling east on Ga. 20, with its lights and siren activated and was in the turn lane, according to the Georgia State Patrol.
A tractor-trailer pulling a tanker trailer yielded to the ambulance and stopped. But the driver of a Ford Mustang had been following the tractor-trailer too closely and the driver swerved into the turn lane to avoid the trailer and struck the ambulance, investigators said. A Dodge Ram truck that had been behind the Mustang also was hit.
Another EMT, 31-year-old Kristi Adams, sustained minor injuries, WSBTV reported.
The Dodge driver was treated for minor injuries.
The Mustang driver, Blanco Fermin Rodolfo, 48, suffered serious injuries.
All four were transported to Wellstar North Fulton Hospital in critical condition. Ayres died from her injuries there.
An investigation is ongoing, and charges against Rodolfo are pending.
“Gina was a beloved member of the Central EMS family, and we are devastated by her loss. Our hearts and prayers are with Gina’s family and colleagues throughout this difficult time,” the agency said on Facebook.
“She joined the Central EMS family in 2011 and celebrated her 12th anniversary with the company on November 9th. She dedicated her life to EMS since the day she was certified as an EMT in 2010.
Gina is described by her colleagues as a caring, compassionate and dedicated EMS professional who wanted nothing more than to serve her community. She had a huge personality, and words cannot describe how strong, passionate and loving she was. Gina also had a heart for children and the less fortunate, volunteering at local schools and sitting with patients in nursing homes.”