Monroe, NY - A Kiryas Joel ambulance corps member faces charges of reckless driving for allegedly running a patrol officer and other motorists off the road in a frantic dash to get to a traffic accident on Route 17.
Officers arrested the first responder, and cited him for 21 violations of vehicle and traffic laws in the Feb. 18 incident.
According to a police report, the first responders vehicle sped head-on toward a Village of Chester patrol officer on Brookside Avenue, forcing the officer to quickly maneuver his vehicle out of the way.
The first responder had his lights and sirens on in an apparent attempt to get to a Route 17 rollover that already was in the process of being cleared by Chester rescue workers, according to the report.
The victims in that rollover also had been determined to be uninjured, and they had refused medical attention, the police report said.
It was unclear Tuesday who had made the call to Kiryas Joel Ambulance, but it is well known that EMS workers from the Hasidic village rush to calls from members of their religion, even if other first responders already are at the scene tending to the wounded.
According to the report, the first responder drove at excessive speeds, as well as down the center of Brookside Avenue, forcing cars in the turning lanes to quickly veer out of the way — some into the path of oncoming traffic.
The Hasidic EMS worker then went through the red light at the intersection of Brookside and Summerville Way, where he made a left to get to the Route 17 Exit 126 on-ramp, the report said.
The pursuing Village of Chester officer called ahead to State Police, who were at the scene of the rollover, and asked them to detain the first responder upon his arrival.
The first responder was given 15 different traffic tickets by Chester village police, as well as an additional six tickets from state police, whose troopers also cited the first responder for driving recklessly.
Village of Chester police Chief Peter Graziano said ambulance corps members, like all first responders, have leeway in obeying traffic laws when responding to emergencies, but they must use “due care.”
“Running people off the road just isn’t allowed,” he said. The chief added that emergency officials in the village doesn’t often drive carelessly.
“Just because you’re a first responder, it doesn’t give you the excuse to drive like a maniac,” Graziano said.
Village of Kiryas Joel!!!! Please Let's protest in front of the State Troopers Barracka, chester Police Dept., times Herald RECORD, and sue these individuals and Organizations, for the BIGOTRY, HATE, FALSE LIBLE and ANTI-SEMITISM shown by these Bums against the hasidic community, Hatzalah, and the Jewish Community at a whole. Reading the above article in The RECORD, sounds like a NAZI era, MEIN KAMP style of editorial, where every word spews hatred against a certain community. I hope the Kiryas Joel community dosnt let it pass without many heads flying of those anti-semites. May be pushing for a Federal Investigation. Into the anti-semitic hitle style article by the RECORD.
ReplyDelete21 Tickets for going on a call??? I think the officer should get a ticket for not yielding to a emergency vehicle, although the unit is supposed to use caution when responding to a call what di d he really do wrong ? He is allowed to speed, he is allowed to go into the other lane and he could make a left onto the highway.
ReplyDeleteThere is no one greater and better than Hatzolah. However, it would be a great idea if the coordinators take a deep breath and review some of the procedures that "some" members use to go to a call. The seemingly quick (reckless) driving should be eliminated by thrwing those members out. There are only a few of these violators but they give the rest a bad look.
ReplyDeleteThe Ribboinoy Shel Olam should bless the Hatzolah members and their families for their selfless and most holy work. We should all support these Tzaddikim with all we can B'gufoh and B'memonah.
From what I understand is that this chster PO didn't like the idea that another "car" is using lights & sirens legaly, it had happened many times in Monsey, & NYC too.
ReplyDeleteIn fact these Hatzula Members' cars are legaly called "Emergency Vehicles" & are using Flashing Red Lights & sirens, where in most other areas a volunteer car is not equipted with all the equipments Hatzula Members have therefore they can not go legaly with Red Lights, can't force off other cars from the road,
Let's see if they'll arrest a Fire-Truck driver...
If this member was dispatched to respond to an overturned vehicle & is using a legaly certifeid emergency vehicle he has no business getting pulled over nor get a vioation, getting arrested was just to show power.
Next time if one of those police officers are hurt - abey all the trffic laws and come just on time when they don't need you anymore!
ReplyDeleteMy neigbour were waiting for a regular ambulance for 40 min till his sick doughter passed away!
We should help those brave men out to take care of their tickets.
Keep up a good work!
This article sounds like a bias article. Writing "it is well known that EMS workers from the Hasidic village rush to calls from members of their religion, even if other first responders already are at the scene tending to the wounded" this is written with out one source given. This is poor and shoddy journalism. THR should be ashamed.
ReplyDeletethink everyone commenting here agrees on the wonderful service provided by Hatzalah and that this incident is an exception. Most Hatzalah drivers are very careful and don't engage in reckless behavior. If the facts here are true, then clearly something needs to be done since it tarnishes the reputation of Hatzalah generally
ReplyDeleteI’m in no way excusing such reckless behavior.
ReplyDeleteBut, 21 tickets is overkill.
What’s next, public execution for the “Hasiddic EMS first responders” who get too excited?
Stop him, detain him, give him a ticket or two maybe. But 21 tickets is typical overkill which I seriously doubt was in the interest of law enforcement. REVENGE REVENGE REVENGE for the wayard Hassidics who the locals (including some LEO’s so love to hate and malign as monsters).
The Times Herald Record is a known anti-semitic rag that uses unacceptable journalistic practices, such as quoting something as “well known” in this story without any citation
ReplyDeleteDoesn't surprise me. I once was at the scene of an accident in Toronto, in the middle of a frum district. You could see/hear the approaching regular ambulance. A Hatzolah volunteer, driving an SUV equipped with ear-splitting sirens and multiple flashing lights, came careering down the wrong side of the road, mounted a sidewalk and drove along the sidewalk to avoid a traffic signal, and screeched to a halt at the scene of the accident. The real paramedica arived about fifteen seconds later. It was a disgusting exhibition, but I am sure the Hatzalah driver felt really big......
ReplyDeleteWhile I symphatize with you that this may have been a bit of overkill by the Village of Chester PD (they are known for this), I must tell you I see these ambulances frequently on the Harlem River Drive North with screaming sirens. Really, headed to Orange County to an emergency? I really doubt it and they cause havoc on an alreay busy highway. They are taking advantage of their emergency vehicle and hope they get caught.
ReplyDelete