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document.write(" jetsonic wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("FYI--- EMT's and Paramedics are not required by Indiana law to have ANY formal emergency vehicle driving training, before getting behind the wheel of an ambulance or fire apparatus... | ");
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document.write(" been there wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("again the rule states the following | ");
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document.write(" A Citizen wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("This incident is a tragedy on both sides. Of course this young man did not cause the accident maliciously or purposefully, and of course the lady who was killed did not intentionally pull out in front of the ambulance. She did what every single one of us reading this has done, and that is to go on a green light. Sure we all look both ways most of the time, but how many times can you honestly say you have looked around for a speeding ambulance when you have a green light? How many times have you not noticed or heard an ambulance until it was fairly close, even with the sirens going? The simple fact is that if this lady had heard or seen the ambulance, she would have yielded her right-of-way to it. She did not see or hear it until it plowed into her. The driver, as nice and well-intentioned as he may have been, was wrong to go through such a busy intersection at such a high speed (60 mph at his own admission). Sure, he was trying to save someone's life, but lost in this story is this: What happened to that person, because this young man did not arrive to save his or her life? I feel terrible and pray for this young man, because this will be with him for the rest of his life. And I pray for this lady's family, who have lost their loved one.");document.write(" "); document.write(" July 9, 2009, 8:15 AM"); document.write(" | ");
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document.write(" Mary wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("Thank you, Been There.");document.write(" "); document.write(" July 9, 2009, 4:09 AM"); document.write(" | ");
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document.write(" been there b4 wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("Here is what is stated in most Vehicle and Traffic laws on authorized emergency vehicles: | ");
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document.write(" been there before wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("Ingle said he always tells his officers to use “caution” when traveling through an intersection even with their lights activated. | ");
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document.write(" Lea wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("I have personally known Travis and his family for about 10 years. He has been around Emergency Services his entire life and has years of experience in fighting fire and responding to medical calls. He would never do anything maliciously to cause anyone harm. This was a tragic accident and I know Travis is sickened by it. As many others have already stated, the law is to pull over when you see/hear emergency vehicles. I was not there, as many of those that have commented on this story were not a witness to the accident either, so how can any of us judge the actions that did or did not take place? We weren't there! I feel sympathy for Ms. Couch and her family and I am not trying to take away from that at all. I am simply saying that instead of wanting to blame Travis for this terrible accident, that maybe we should focus on being more alert and responsive as citizen drivers and give the Emergency Service vehicles (police, fire, EMS, etc) the respect on the road that they need and deserve. Remember, it is the law!");document.write(" "); document.write(" July 8, 2009, 4:56 PM"); document.write(" | ");
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document.write(" citizen wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("and outraged, im guessing you are also just going by what the news says, or maybe you jus happened to be on the street corner with a radar right before it happened. whens the last time you put your life on the line to help or save anyone. and i would like to see someone try to get up to 60 mph from light to light. its not too easy. so i highly doubt he was.");document.write(" "); document.write(" July 8, 2009, 2:03 PM"); document.write(" | ");
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document.write(" citizen wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("so mary, im guessing you were there and happened to see every bit of what happened, or are you going only by what the media is putting in front of you, since we can all believe everything the media puts in front of us");document.write(" "); document.write(" July 8, 2009, 1:58 PM"); document.write(" | ");
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document.write(" Tearful wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("I think that everyone saying things about the crew member of the ambulance should step back and think for a minute. Travis is a great friend, tech, and person. He is completely sick about this whole thing and is going through a lot himself. He did not do this with malice. He was going to save someones mother,grandmother,father,or grandfather. But that doesn't seem to matter to those who are attacking him. It was an accident and we all feel for the family of Ms. Couch and will pray for them, but please don't take it all out on Travis. He has enough to deal with as it is.");document.write(" "); document.write(" July 8, 2009, 1:09 PM"); document.write(" | ");
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document.write(" Angry Citizen wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("Citizens need to realize that each day the people put there life in danger everyday responding to 911 calls. Each time they get in the ambulance and respond the assume the responsibilities that are assumed when they hop in the driver's seat. Before they are allowed to drive each emt is put through a extensive EVOC training. Indiana law states that all drivers should yield or pull to the right to all emergency vehicles. So not yielding to an emergency vehicle caused this wreck. Yes this is a tragic event and yes the passing of ones life is wrong. But the ambulance was responding to a 911 call to help save a persons life. The blame for this is no ones fault. It certainly isnt the ambulance drivers fault he was just doing what he had been trained to do and done numerous previous times. If you want to complain then lets take all those who respond to emergency's off the streets and see how you all like it when your house is on fire and no one responds or when your husband or wife is dying next to you in bed and no one is responding because we want to criticize the driver of the ambulance for doing his job the way he was trained.");document.write(" "); document.write(" July 8, 2009, 1:03 PM"); document.write(" | ");
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document.write(" Transplanted wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("I'm sorry, but I have to agree with Concerned Citizen. No, I didn't witness the accident, but the article did say the EMS driver did attempt to avoid the collission. If it was you that was unresponsive and not breathing, would you want the EMS driver that was responding to you to stop at every red light and stop sign? I think not. You would want them to get there as fast as possible. Too many people do not yield to emergency vehicles and when they do not yield, accidents like this can easily happen. I hope they do not file charges against the young man.");document.write(" "); document.write(" July 8, 2009, 11:52 AM"); document.write(" | ");
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document.write(" mary wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("By the way, Concerned Citizen, Mrs. Couch won't be buried until Saturday. Do you think it would be possible for you to refrain from blaming her for her death until after she is buried?!?!");document.write(" "); document.write(" July 8, 2009, 9:37 AM"); document.write(" | ");
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document.write(" Mary wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("Concerned citizen: You were not there -- you did not witness the accident. The ambulance driver is 20 years old!!! He has only been licensed to drive for4 years - he is still considered a high risk driver by insurance companies. He used poor judgment when approaching an intersection--much like many drivers with only 4 years experience would do! Ambulance drivers always slow down at intersections! He did not and someone was horrifically killed because of his inexperience as a driver.");document.write(" "); document.write(" July 8, 2009, 9:25 AM"); document.write(" | ");
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document.write(" Outraged wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("This accident requires criminal charges to be filed, it is voluntary manslaughter... 60 miles per hour! Through an intersection, against a red light on a road with a speed limit of 35 MPH. This guy was out of control and needs serious jail time to send a message. Not to mention the probable lack of training. To Concerned citizen: a 20 years does not have a 'career' just another out of control teenager working for an ambulance company that is not using good and safe practices in the operation of their ambulances.");document.write(" "); document.write(" July 8, 2009, 8:26 AM"); document.write(" | ");
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document.write(" Citizen wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("I want to know why a 20 year old was driving the ambulance. That is barely a legal age. I know EMS personel undergo extensive drivers training. However, there should be an age limit. | ");
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document.write(" Concerned Citizen wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("Everyday EMS personel leave their families and loved ones not knowing if they will ever come back home. They also dedicate their time and energy as well as risk their lives every day to save those in need. Often times they are unappreciated and disrespected by many people in general, and ironically, sometimes by the very people who have just called requesting their services. On a daily basis, the general public REFUSES to yield the right of way to a responding ambulance despite the use of lights and sirens. Many times, those who have blatantly disregarded an emergency vehicle, rarely face consequences. In this case, unfortunately, a person paid with their life. On the other hand, you have a person who has spent their entire career and lifelong dream dedicated to helping other people. It is illogical to think that this person would intentionally or otherwise attempt to take the very life that he would risk his own to save. The news article even states that the EMS responder attempted to avoid the unyielding motorist by veering around her, even after she had crossed the three lanes into the intersection. It hardly seems fair, despite the responder having to live with this tragedy for the rest of their life, that there is actually a threat of potential criminal charges being filed for a professional attempting to save a life. In no way shape or form am I attempting to diminish or belittle the life of the motorist who was unfortunately and tragically killed. However, I am attempting to point out that it was not only hers and her family’s lives that have been affected, moreover, just imagine the life of a twenty year old who, not only has to live with the events that have transpired, but will forever be haunted by reliving over and over the images of the nightmares that he undoubtedly faces. Motorist, just because it is not your emergency does not mean that you do not have to yield. If you cannot pay attention to your surroundings while driving, perhaps this will be a lesson to all.");document.write(" "); document.write(" July 8, 2009, 12:19 AM"); document.write(" | ");
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document.write(" julia wrote:");
document.write(" ");document.write("i know mrs. couch and she was a wonderful person...and would do anything for anyone...god took her on up to heaven so she could watch down on everyone...this was a shock to everyone.");document.write(" "); document.write(" July 7, 2009, 2:54 PM"); document.write(" | ");
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