AKRON, Ohio — A woman is facing two felony charges after authorities say she assaulted an Akron paramedic during a call.
Kevelyn Evans was indicted on charges of assault and aggravated possession of drugs, News 5 Cleveland reported.
Paramedics were dispatched just after midnight on March 28 to a senior high-rise apartment building on Byers Avenue for a medical call involving a man. Crews later determined the situation was a Code 1.
Code 1 calls account for about 25% of Akron fire calls, including minor illness, normal vital signs or other nonemergency cases, according to Akron Firefighters Association Local 330, President Kevin Gostkowski.
Investigators said family members became upset that the patient was not being taken to a hospital and followed paramedics outside, where one paramedic was punched in the face while sitting in an ambulance.
“One of the family members began recording on a cellphone and then came over and opened the driver’s side door, struck our paramedic with a closed fist in the eye,” Gostkowski said. “He ended up with some bruising and a swollen eye.”
Gostkowski said he was thankful the paramedic was not more seriously hurt and that charges were filed. He said he hopes the case sends a message that assaults on first responders will not be tolerated.
