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Impatient Fla. man moves ambulance, strikes paramedic while fleeing scene

Authorities say the man climbed into the Brevard County Fire Rescue ambulance while medics were treating a patient so he could get through a driveway

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A Brevard County Fire Rescue ambulance.

Brevard County Fire Rescue/Facebook

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A 58-year-old Florida man was arrested after authorities say he climbed into a parked Brevard County Fire Rescue ambulance and tried to move it while paramedics were treating a patient.

According to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the ambulance was blocking the man’s path when he entered the vehicle and attempted to drive it away during the medical call on Feb. 27, Click Orlando reported.

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As paramedics treated a patient in the back of the ambulance, they felt the vehicle begin to move. One crewmember exited and found a man, later identified as Lane Fothergill, sitting behind the wheel.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey said Fothergill told the ambulance crew he wanted the ambulance moved so he could get through the driveway. Authorities said he then jumped out of the unit, got into his own vehicle and struck a paramedic in the leg as he drove away.

Deputies used a license plate number provided by fire rescue to locate Fothergill, who was arrested and booked into the Brevard County jail.

Authorities said he faces charges including grand theft of a motor vehicle and burglary of an occupied conveyance.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.