Patient killed when Fla. ambulance crashes into tractor-trailer

By Jack Prator
Tampa Bay Times

TAMPA, Fla. — A patient in a Hillsborough County Fire Rescue ambulance died after the driver failed to yield at an intersection and was struck by a tractor trailer near Plant City Friday night, troopers said.

The ambulance, driven by a 26-year-old man, was heading east on McGee Road in non-emergency mode about midnight and entered the path of and was struck by a Peterbilt tractor trailer that was heading north on State Road 39, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The ambulance overturned and the tractor trailer jackknifed, troopers said.

A 64-year-old Plant City woman who was a patient on the ambulance was injured in the crash and died at a local hospital.

The ambulance driver and a 47-year-old crew member aboard the ambulance suffered injuries that were not life-threatening and were taken to an area hospital.

The tractor trailer driver, a 52-year-old Wesley Chapel man, was not injured.

Troopers have not released the names of anyone involved in the crash.

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