EMT not charged in death

luvmydogs59 (anonymous) says...

"Stewart's driving record with the Department of Motor Vehicles shows two vehicle accidents in 2005, a violation for changing lanes improperly in 2006 and two speeding tickets in 2003."

"Stewart was convicted of careless operation of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest in July 2002, according to the State Law Enforcement Division." "Davis said the county was aware of the 2002 traffic violation before hiring Stewart."

"Cannon said such a charge wouldn't preclude someone from employment with the county, including the deputies he hires."

Plain and simple, the county needs to change their policies regarding hiring someone with previous convictions for any kind of careless or reckless driving (obviously, you can see the pattern with the above mentioned charges), especially ambulance drivers who are entrusted with people's lives inside their ambulance and innocent peoples out on the road. I'm sure he didn't wake up and figure that he'd be negligent or do something considered criminal that day, but the fact that he had so many previous convictions, especially the one for carelessness, should have raised a red flag with the county that if he had driving problems previously, that it could easily happen again...which it did.

"Davis had previously said that the county is reviewing its emergency vehicle driving policy in light of the accident. The county also has asked the International Association of EMS Chief Officers to review the county's EMS driving policies, Davis said."

Of course, it takes something like this happening for the powers that be to actually take a look at their policies. Obviously, good old common sense by county officials (of all counties) to check the policies at the very least, once a year, doesn't enter into anything. They just sit back and hope nothing happens that would publicize their inefficiencies.

While he may not have been considered criminally negligent by authorities, he should be charged with some sort of negligence, at the very least, considering that the county knew of his previous convictions. The parents of Emily must be very strong people to feel that no charges at all should be filed.

A terrible situation all the way around.

May 21, 2008 at 2:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

thatguy (anonymous) says...

"luvmydogs59" must love her quickness to judge a book by its cover. You can't judge the quality of someone's job performance based simply on a driving record or the fact that he/she is, oh I don't know, human?!.

If you worked as a bank teller, a job that you really love and one that put kibble in your dogs' bowls, you wouldn't want to be terminated being deemed financially irresponsible simply because you bounced a few checks or were late with a few bills.

You would want to remain gainfully employed because you're good at what you do, you love your job and you're (for the most part) qualified for the position. The driving record is just one element of the hiring process and doesn't solely determine one's qualifications for employment.

People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

May 21, 2008 at 4:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

thatguy- comparison of a bank teller with a history of bouncing a few personal checks-ambulance driver with a history of careless driving is a bit off the wall.

Yes, we all are human. We all, probably, have found ourselves going over the speed limit on occasion. Maybe even a few of us have gotten a speeding ticket.

This guy, however, has, it appears, at least 6 "incidents" that were recorded with the DMV. Don't know who caused the 2 accidents listed, but it is an understatement to say this guy does not have a "safe" driving record.

Cannon & his side kick just amaze me. Not only was this guy going over twice the posted speed limit, he was going almost 3 times what he would be allowed to do IF, AND ONLY IF the conditions deem it safe to do so.

Who in his right mind would deem it safe, for whatever reason, to drive more than twice the speed limit down Calhoun Street at about 9am???

May 21, 2008 at 6:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

3olivesmike (anonymous) says...

I drive around the C of C campus frequently and anyone driving at more than 30 mph needs to be committed to an insane asylum. At the end of class time about 10 minutes to the hour the sidewalks and streets are packed with kids getting to their classes. I had hoped they would fry this cowboy's ass.

May 21, 2008 at 6:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

moonpie (anonymous) says...

"County policy allows ambulances responding to emergencies to exceed posted speed limits by NO MORE than 10 mph."

Is that not enough to charge him? I bet it's gonna be enough to break the county! Rightfully so! I hope her family single handily raise the taxes in CHAS COUNTY because their settelment is that big! This tragedy is what every parent of a child that is of driving age worries about. But you wouldn't ever think an ambulance driving twice the speed limit would run into your child in her lane!

May 21, 2008 at 6:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

I was never very good at math--I mean he was going over 3 times the amount allowed...he was going almost 30mph over the speed limit when he is allowed to go only 10mph over the limit.

May 21, 2008 at 6:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

Cannon is not consistent:
excerpts from the article on the toddler deaths & charges against the mother & grandmother:

"County Sheriff Al Cannon said that these charges were based on the failure to ensure the children's [substitute 'students', citizens', etc'] safety."

"You've got to hold a parent [substitute 'professional'] accountable when it comes to child restraints in a car [substitute the safety of the public]," he said. "That's negligent, and those children[substitute that student] died as a result of negligence [substitute recklessness]."

What is interesting is that while the grandmother & mother were negligent in not properly restraining the children,
"Investigators also found that the driver didn't do anything to cause the accident...."We believe something catastrophic occurred to the driver's side back tire that sent the car down the hill," Cannon said."

May 21, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

How can Cannon apply such different standards to these 2 cases?

May 21, 2008 at 7:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Paul (anonymous) says...

Anudder exampul of "Good Ole Boy Justice" n owr own liddle corrupt Suthern town ...

May 21, 2008 at 7:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

madpeeps (anonymous) says...

Thomas1776 Did The city of Charleston move out of Charleston County? Inside or outside the the any city you are still in the county and the county has jurisdiction. EMS is County organization and the County Sheriff has the right to investigate.

May 21, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

SCgal (anonymous) says...

Stewart's driving record with the Department of Motor Vehicles shows two vehicle accidents in 2005, a violation for changing lanes improperly in 2006 and two speeding tickets in 2003.

In my opinion, extensive background driving records need to be reviewed prior to hiring those who are allowed to drive EMS vehicles!

May 21, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

SCgal (anonymous) says...

Stewart was convicted of careless operation of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest in July 2002, according to the State Law Enforcement Division.

Davis said the county was aware of the 2002 traffic violation before hiring Stewart.

Cannon said such a charge wouldn't preclude someone from employment with the county, including the deputies he hires.

IMO, makes one really wonder what background checks are in place for any position then, be it officer, fireman, school bus driver, taxi cab company, carriage operator, tractor trailer drivers, tour bus drivers!!!

May 21, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

outrage (anonymous) says...

Thomas1776 on May 21, 2008 at 5:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

He is still a killer. Nothing can change that - EVER!

KILLER - Would be someone who shows intent.

You never say anything constructive. You seem to be a bitter person.

Thomas1776 -"The accident happened in the CITY of CHARLESTON. Not in Charleston County. But Cannon acts like he has the say so whether or not this idiot baboon pervert is charged or not with killing that young girl."

Isn't Charleston city in Charleston County? Isn't Sheriff Cannon the head of law enforcement in Charleston County? GBTS Thomas1776

May 21, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

Let me rephrase that:

How can Cannon & his side kick apply such different standards to these cases with straight faces & still hold on to the notion that they have any credibility???

May 21, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

SCgal (anonymous) says...

Isn't Cannon endorsing Wilson?

May 21, 2008 at 7:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

Yes, Cannon has endorsed Wilson.

May 21, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Dpecora (anonymous) says...

It is truly amazing what bloggers write - when you can be so anonomous. This guy is in an accident, the investigation says no charges will be filed and many sulk because they won't be happy until someone's head is on a platter. That's the only way to fix things to many people.

These men and women of EMS do a fantastic job under terrible circumstances. Drivers pulling in front of them without signals or reason (as is the case in this accident) and everyone wants to second guess the evidence (of which you have none of or a small amount).

BTW, did anyone notice the other charge? Touching a girls chest - - ARE YOU KIDDDING? An 8 year old doesn't have a "chest". What the heck is that about?

The incident took place in October of last year and it took SEVEN MONTHS to bring charges - and they are filed two weeks before the primary between this current solicitor and the one in Berkeley (where the charges took place)?

What a shame that this guy is being thrown under the bus for the political gain of someone who wants to be solicitor........

May 21, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

SCgal (anonymous) says...

In my opinion, if you are going to be in the position of driving and operating an EMS vehicle then the past driving record should be flawless! This guy could have ridden as an EMS employee but again IMO, should have never been behind the wheel with that type of past driving record!

May 21, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

SCgal (anonymous) says...

This guy is in an accident, the investigation says no charges will be filed ................

and a beautiful, young lady lost her life due to his accident~ accident # ????? for him~

May 21, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

devster (anonymous) says...

I hope that when the EMS driver is coming to aid my wife, my family, or myself, that he doesn't take all of this into account and gets to the scene of the accident a few minutes late.

"If only he would have gone a little bit faster", we'd scream, "then maybe she'd still be alive".

May 21, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

SCgal (anonymous) says...

The incident took place in October of last year and it took SEVEN MONTHS to bring charges..............

Sometimes it takes years for victims of such crimes to come forward and perhaps the young victim is/was receiving counseling to deal with the situation~~ prior to bringing this public or the parents have been working through the ordeal and trying to come to a decision and best resolution on how to handle the situation involving their child?

May 21, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

SCgal (anonymous) says...

The box showed that the ambulance was traveling at 51.6 mph at the time of impact

The posted speed limit in the area where the accident occurred is 25 mph.

County policy allows ambulances responding to emergencies to exceed posted speed limits by no more than 10 mph

Can anyone do the math on this one?

May 21, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

madpeeps (anonymous) says...

The fact is if people would pay attention to there surroundings this would have not happened. I spend most of my day driving in charleston county, and people are more worry about getting to where they are going. They do not yeild the right of way to emergency vehicles. With the lights and sirens on traffic should have been pulling to right instead of making left turns. Next time someone is hurt may be the county should say the heck with and drive the speed limit.

PEOPLE GET OUT OF THEY WAY OF THESE VEHICLES, THEY ARE TRYING TO SAVE SOMEONES LIFE.

May 21, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

I am well aware of conditions under which EMS personnel work. We have a very close friend who has been a paramedic for over 30 years. My husband is an ER physician. We have other friends who were paramedics for years & have gone on to become ER nurses.

Minimizing this by saying "Hey guys, it was just an accident" makes me so disgusted I can hardly see straight.

I am not one to jump to conclusions. In fact, I believe that the other charges against this man should not be made public until/unless a conviction occurs.

That said, it now has been confirmed that Stewart was going OVER TWICE THE SPEED LIMIT on a busy & congested street swarming with college students, & this speed was what killed someone. If he had been going 35 mph, more than likely that student would be alive today.

In spite of this Cannon states "We did not feel there was a case of reckless negligence on the part of the driver... He did not violate any laws to the extent [TO THE EXTENT???] that he should be charged criminally."

I wonder what definition of reckless & negligent Cannon & Wilson are using?

What is their standard for how badly a law has to be violated before criminal charges are brought?

What criteria do they use to apply this standard so inconsistently & capriciously to various cases?

I have been berated for suggesting that laws are selectively applied. I rest my case.

May 21, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

palmettotree (anonymous) says...

I feel sorry for her families loss but he was just doing his job. Yes a bit excessively but still doing his job. Apparently the driver of the car failed to see the lights or hear the siren of the ambulance. We never will really know will we? Are we not taught to yield to sirens and lights?
The sirens in my opinion are way too low anyways. They need to make them louder. Why did they lower the sound?

May 21, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

SCgal (anonymous) says...

but he was just doing his job. Yes a bit excessively but still doing his job.

IMO, in a wreckless fashion, against company policy, and perhaps mirroring his past driving record/abilities~~

May 21, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

I am a very cautious & aware driver. When I hear sirens I frantically look around to discern from which direction it is coming (often it is difficult to immediately discern this).

When I can, I stop, pull over, to make way for the EMS.

However, just a couple of wks ago, while on Calhoun St., no less, I was startled when EMS went past me in the other lane. I had not heard it until it was completely parallel with my car. I did not have the radio on. My car is older & not "silent" on the inside.

Perhaps the sirens had just been turned on & that is why I heard it when I did. I have no way of knowing because I did not see or hear it until it was right beside me.

There are rules,policies, laws in place so that EMS can so its thing without causing more harm or emergencies.

There are specific allowances, WHEN CONDITIONS DICTATE, for EMS to override traffic laws. The conditions at 9am on Calhoun St. did not dictate going twice the speed limit. (most of the time conditions are such that I cannot go even the 25mph posted speed limit down Calhoun)

May 21, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

OverHere (anonymous) says...

Wow...

Is this the "Cannonball Run" Doctrine? You can't get in trouble with the law as long as you are driving an ambulance?

Not sure who Scarlett Wilson is protecting here, unless she got trampled by our long time friend Al Cannon.

May 21, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

singleroni (anonymous) says...

SOUNDS LIKE SCARLETT IS ALREADY TAKING SIDES, AND TRYING TO PAY THE PRICE TO GET ELECTED- WANTS TO BE A GOOD OLD GUY

May 21, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

RTC (anonymous) says...

This totally creeps me out to think that a person like this might have had a child under their care in the back of an ambulance.
Parents, always ask to ride along in the jumpseat.
If your child is not critical they should honor your request.

May 21, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

CCFireMedic (anonymous) says...

As a former Charleston County medic, I am scratching my head to figure out how he was able to get up to 52mph at that time of day downtown. The main reason why I left the county was due to the low quality people that they have been hiring. They are so desperate to get people on their trucks that they are willing to overlook certain "blemishes" in order to make it happen. You think one of these people is scary behind the wheel? Wait until you are in the back of the truck as a patient.

May 21, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

CCFireMedic-I thank you also.

It takes integrity to overcome the inclination to be loyal to one's profession in the face of criminal wrong doing.

Those that have attempted to defend this EMS driver's actions in the face of the evidence have not done the profession any service.

May 21, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

LadyTarHeel (anonymous) says...

This guy wasn't charged? I can't believe it. I saw this ambulance go by me moments before the accident and he was hauling ***! I was parked and I didn't hear the sirens until he was right beside my car. I have riden in an Charleston County ambulance before and considering the circumstances, it was a relatively uneventful experience. He looks kinda of creepy to me. I wouldn't leave my kids around him if I had any.

May 21, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

Go back & look at the video from the original story.

Toward the end Cannon is talking.

The focus of his concern is how tragic this is for the EMS workers involved in this fatal accident. I am not sure the tragedy from any other standpoint was acknowledged except that "it was a tragedy".

Looks like he was paving the way then for no charges to be brought in this case.

May 21, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

CCFireMedic (anonymous) says...

You will be hard pressed to find a career emergency responder who has not been in an on duty vehicle accident. It's not a matter of if but when. With that in mind, it is the responsibility of the apparatus driver to take every percaution necessary. As a personal rule, I will not drive an ambulance or fire engine faster than I will drive my own personal vehicle. I have been in this business for over 10 years and really can't think of a time where an extra 10 or 15 seconds would have made the difference between life and death. I can tell you that as an emergency responder, an accident involving your apparatus would be devastating. Professional paramedics beat themselves up over missing an IV or not being able to get a difficult intubation. I can't imagine being involved in a fatality accident.

It is not a written policy, but Charleston County EMS employees are instructed to limit the use of the siren as much as possible when downtown. I don't know if they are afraid of spooking the horses on carriage tours or if the residents don't want the area to sound like NYC, but I was reprimanded several times when I first came to work in Charleston because I refused to turn the siren off when driving between intersections.

May 21, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Name_Withheld (anonymous) says...

Scarlett Wilson should submit this case to the Grand Jury for its consideration of a potential Indictment, rather than ignore this innocent girl's death.

May 21, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Girleygirl (anonymous) says...

I can only think that they did not charge him for going 3x over the speed limit because policy was never done correctly and maybe the county needs to look at a lot of other things that's not being done correctly. This incident "sort of" makes me think of the SSS tragedy and all of the policies that weren't in place.

May 21, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Rebel_Yell (anonymous) says...

Why do people endorse speed bumps all over town and then complain if an EMS driver is limited by speed to get to an injured party? This guy was going 50 just to reach 5 speed bumps and then go 5mph. That's one big heavy piece of machinery with a license to kill that's suppossed to help save lives.

May 21, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

SCgal (anonymous) says...

Do your research and get out and vote June 10th

http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/m...

May 21, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sassee (anonymous) says...

Some of you people need to get a friggin life! I'm willing to bet that, if you were involved in an accident and your spouse or child was seriously injured, you would want that ambulance there as FAST as possible! Don't anybody say you wouldn't either, because you know you'd be a liar!

The driver was responding to an emergency call with his lights and siren on! This is a tragic accident but it's an accident non-the-less! My daughter was involved in an accident yesterday. she was OK but you can rest assured I drove the 40 miles from where I was at at the moment I was notified to the scene of the accident as fast I could get there. If I had been in an accident, would that make me a killer or a loving father trying to get to his daughter? (or an emergency services person trying to answer an emergency call?)

May 21, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

CCFireMedic (anonymous) says...

It would make you an idiot for driving that fast. At that point, what are you going to do to change the situation?

May 21, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Iknow (anonymous) says...

SECTION 56 5 760. Operation of authorized emergency vehicles.

(A) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but subject to the conditions of this section.
(B) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
(1) park or stand, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter;
(2) proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;
(3) exceed the maximum speed limit if he does not endanger life or property;
(4) disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.
(C) The exemptions in this section granted to an authorized emergency vehicle apply only when the vehicle is making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 56 5 4970 and visual signals meeting the requirements of Section 56 5 4700 of this chapter, except that an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not use an audible signal nor display a visual signal when the vehicle is being used to:
(1) obtain evidence of a speeding violation;
(2) respond to a suspected crime in progress when use of an audible or visual signal, or both, could reasonably result in the destruction of evidence or escape of a suspect; or
(3) surveil another vehicle or its occupants who are suspected of involvement in a crime.
(D) The provisions of this section do not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons.
(E) The Criminal Justice Academy shall promulgate regulations pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act so as to provide uniform guidelines and training programs for law enforcement agencies which use emergency vehicles. Law enforcement agencies authorized to use emergency vehicles shall use the regulations developed by the Criminal Justice Academy to provide written guidelines and to provide training programs for its officers and employees regarding the operation of emergency vehicles.

May 21, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sassee (anonymous) says...

So CCFireMedic, If you were responding to a call, I guess that's the attitude you had/have? "Well they've already had the collison and car exploded, what can I do to change that? Nothing!!!"

I'll be sure to be extra careful when driving in Charleston. Apparently some of it's emergency responders don't give a rat's butt about the situation. Hey, they must get paid by the hour!!!

May 21, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

summerville_guy (anonymous) says...

TP, you have to take the Big Bubba factor into account here.

May 21, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Girleygirl (anonymous) says...

lol @ Tp- He looks high to me.

May 21, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

IslandGirl83 (anonymous) says...

This is just crazy. The arguement that some people are using on this comment board is that people want the ems to get there quickly! Well yeah but This guy obviously didn't get there at all! The 10 miles over rule is there for a reason and it is a good reason. He should be charged!! And Charleston County definitely needs to rethink who it hires. I work for an engineering firm that has a stricter policies on employee driving records!! I would think that having multiple accidents and tickets on your record would definitely be a deal breaker.

May 21, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

IslandGirl83 (anonymous) says...

ColdBeer - ;-P I like it! LOL

May 21, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

I imagine most of us have a "friggin" life as well(thanks for the quip ColdBeer). We all know for sure that allwoman has a figgin life--she's pregnant & all ya know :)

And aside from all the "friggin", most of us have many other activities that make our lives full & productive--so now that we have THAT clear...

You people who keep saying "It was just an accident" are missing the point & should get a CLUE.

It was not a 'freak' accident. It was an accident whose severity & fatality was very avoidable.

I seriously doubt any of us think Stewart woke up that morning & thought "I am going to drive real fast in a congested area & see if I can kill somebody with my ambulance." If he had thought that then he'd be guilty of premeditated murder.

If his tire had blown out or if someone else ran a red light or something of that nature, & a fatal accident occurred..well that would be, for him, an unavoidable accident.

BTW, there has been a very noticeable silence about the person they were racing to...wonder what that story is???

May 21, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

I had 5 term babies & 3 pregnancies that ended in miscarriage (all have the same daddy)...need I say more about...you know what

Congratulations on #5, BTW.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our big family.

Our older children just recently have been telling us that they are really glad to have grown up in a big family (youngest will be 11 next mo.)

May 21, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

Agreed allwoman--the chaos is worth it.

May 21, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

raregar--one poster told the other posters to get a friggin life..ColdBeer answered perfectly...when people start talking about friggin one thing leads to another...babies often get thrown into this topic

Oh, was that a rhetorical question?

May 21, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

SCgal (anonymous) says...

Keep it mind this WAS a PREVENTABLE accident!!!!!

May 21, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Dpecora (anonymous) says...

So, what are we talking about, babies or the wreck?

If we go with the majority, it looks like people who hit somoene who turns in front of them should be charged with the accident. Or, maybe just EMS people.

After all, everyone has decided he's a child molester based upon his picture, right?

Sad - The constitution is dead. Let's just cut his head off and put it on a stick and be done with it.

Everyone thinks it couldn't be them being charged with a lewd act on a child. Any of you teachers? you know it could happen in a heart beat and after your picture is in the paper, it doesn't matter anymore if you are or are not guilty. This board shows that.

Sad - very sad.....

May 21, 2008 at 5:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

CharlestonChick (anonymous) says...

As we all know, we each are entitled to our own opinions and I suppose we all will have our own thoughts on the situation. I personally would want some sort of justice if that had been my child killed in the car wreck and not because I want revenge, but because I lost my child. And just as someone else here commented, if that had been my child someone had touched, the police would be the least of their worries. However, we do not even know the circumstances surrounding that event.

What we do know is that he was driving way too fast in that area and because of his actions, he killed someone who had a lifetime ahead of her. I am sure it's no fun living with that guilt for the rest of your life. And before I get jumped all over, no way am I taking up for him. It was an accident that should and could have been avoided. I do agree that his past driving record should have been considered before hired. It's not like he is making mail deliveries - these people transport lives, and sometimes our own loved ones.

And what's this about wanting the driver to limit lights and sirens when responding to a call in downtown Charleston? That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard thus far.

My heart goes out to the woman's family who has lost their loved one. However, I have to say I am grateful to Charleston EMS because not too long ago they helped saved my father's life. I'm not sure if they drove too fast to get to him, but whatever they did, it worked.

May 21, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

Dpecora-well, we were talking about the wreck & then about the babies..but mostly we've been discussing the wreck.

What personal stake do you have in this that is motivating you to minimize this wreck as a simple accident?

You seem to conveniently leave out the part that the student did not "simply" turn in front of him.

He pulled out of traffic & came up from behind her in an oncoming traffic lane. She was in the left lane turning left.

He was the one engaging in the unexpected driving maneuver.

Yes, sometimes EMS has to do this, but when they do, they are expected to use extra caution.

For example, they are allowed to go through stop signs & red lights, but they are supposed to slow up for that. I wonder why this is? Because maybe someone who has the right of way might not see or hear them.

Unless he had an absolutely clear path,& HE DID NOT, he should not have been going over the speed limit at all, much less twice the speed limit, & there is some indication that, under the circumstance, he should have gone under the speed limit.

May 21, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

potholes (anonymous) says...

I was nearly in a head-on accident with a speeding ambulance (no siren, just lights) driving at me in my lane on a blind curve. I ran off the road instead stopping without incident, the ambulance didn't even pause. My wife and I could have certainly been severely injured or killed by the ambulance driver's negligence. There is NO EXCUSE for hazardly responding to any incident. It jeopardizes many innocent people, policemen don't fire their guns off in a crowded shopping mall just to catch a shoplifter--they show calculated restraint and judgement. This EMT driver was careless and negligent, he KILLED this young lady, and he would have killed anyone else and their families too had they been in her car. And it will happen again, since it seems the EMT drivers can do it without being held accountable.

May 21, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

abitskeptical (anonymous) says...

About 2 years ago I was heading downtown in 5 o'clock traffic. It was winter & raining so it was getting dark.

I was 1st in the left lane stopped at a red light when all of a sudden an ambulance coming from the oncoming direction served out of traffic into an left turn only lane in order to get across the intersection.

For a moment I was feeling downright alarmed as the ambulance was headed straight for me with only the distance of a short intersection separating us. He barely slowed up as he came across the intersection & swerved to get into a proper lane.

I called the county EMS office to report what I felt was dangerous driving by one of their ambulances, but since I didn't get the number on the ambulance they tried to tell me it might not even be one of theirs'.

That said, I have witnessed ambulances proceeding safely through traffic. Its just so scary when they do not--they are so big.

May 21, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

luvmydogs59 (anonymous) says...

thatguy...I'm not saying that he wasn't good at his job, I'm sure he is a good EMT. What I'm saying is that in a situation where good driving under different conditions is required, that people with violations such as careless driving, shouldn't be driving an ambulance. This has nothing to do with him on a personal level, it needs to be applied to anyone who wants to be employed in that position. In a job such as this, the driving element of it is very important!

May 21, 2008 at 8 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

luvmydogs59 (anonymous) says...

And I'm not throwing stones...maybe I'm just intelligent enough to know that if I had a bad driving record for reckless/careless driving, I wouldn't put myself in a position to get a job that involved driving. As shown by the accident, something like that doesn't just involve my life, it would involve others as well. If I was a bank teller and did my job to the best of my abilities and did a satisfactory job, they wouldn't care that I bounced checks or was late on a few bills...that would be my personal life and nothing to do with the job. They wouldn't even know things like that because it isn't job related.

Unfortunately, your analogy wasn't a good one and doesn't even apply to a situation such as this.

May 21, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

dwfrance (anonymous) says...

I'm never driving downtown charleston again...I think the world should know to stay away...hmmm..a nice big worldwide website warning all

May 21, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BKLYNIRISH (anonymous) says...

"CCSD is poorly run by a bunch of terrorist wannabees in black hoods."

Are you serious?

May 21, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tracy08 (anonymous) says...

I am amazed as I read what you people have written about this man! First of all - did you ever think that maybe that ambulance was on its way to save the lives of someone in your family or a friend that you know? Oh no! Never thought of that did you? As a matter of fact if someone in your family was in need of an ambulance and they took longer than 5 minutes to get to the location, the shoe would be on the other foot. All you would hear is how responding times should be faster and moaning and complaining! Honestly! How many times have you sat in traffic and didn't hear an ambulance , police car or fire truck coming down the road. They make them loud for a reason. Also, the speeding thing, sure he was doing almost double what's aloud but if you would read the whole thing and get your facts in line it also states that the driver is allowed to use there own descresion. Again, If it was a member of your family you should hope you had a driver like this person who obviously cares about people (being that he chose this profession) and is willing to save lives. If only you people on here were so lucky!!!!!! You all make me sick!

May 21, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

potholes (anonymous) says...

tracy08
I hope you are sick, it explains why your judgment is so clouded. What if it was your daughter killed in this incident? I bet you would finally figure it out.

May 22, 2008 at 1:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )