In a devastating early morning accident in King and Queen County, Virginia, an ambulance operated by emergency medical technicians was struck by a dump truck, resulting in a fatality.
According to WRIC ABC 8News, Jacob Bozeman, an EMT, died Thursday when his ambulance collided with a dump truck that unexpectedly turned in front of him.
The mishap occurred around 6:50 a.m. at the intersection of Route 360 and Fleets Mill Road. A dump truck, attempting to enter Route 360, paused in the median. The rear of the truck extended into the travel lanes, leading to the tragic collision.
The ambulance, managed by VCU Health Tappahannock and staffed by Bozeman and another paramedic, Christopher Mack, struck the rear corner of the dump truck. This impact caused the ambulance to overturn, leading to immediate and severe consequences.
Witness Describes Heartbreaking Scene
At the scene, Jacob Bozeman was pronounced dead. The aftermath of the collision described by onlookers painted a grim picture of the incident’s severity. “There were tons and tons of first responders,” noted witness Jordan Brooks, who was visibly shaken by the disaster.
Brooks further detailed the emotional impact of witnessing such a scene. “Just seeing the impact of the vehicle and the condition of it, and the number of people around it, I knew that something terrible had to have happened,” she explained.
Adding to the sorrow, the witness shared her immediate reaction. “I immediately started praying. I told my kids that we need to say a prayer right now because something terrible had happened,” Brooks recounted, expressing her condolences to all affected.
Emergency Services Community Mourns Loss
The ambulance involved in the crash was not responding to a call at the time, and there were no patients onboard, clarified the Virginia State Troopers. This fact underscores the unpredictability and inherent risks in emergency medical services.
Paramedic Christopher Mack, along with the driver of the dump truck, were hospitalized with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Both individuals are receiving care and are expected to recover.
Kilmarnock-Lancaster Co. Volunteer Rescue Squad released a statement expressing their profound sadness. "It is with great sadness that we share the news of a tragic accident... our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, VCU Health, and AMR during this difficult time," they shared, reflecting the deep impact on the community.
Community and Company Reflect on the Tragedy
AMR, the organization operating the ambulance, issued a statement highlighting the dangers faced by emergency service workers. “Every day, our EMS crews put themselves on the front lines to save lives and serve their communities with dedication and compassion. This incident is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks they take in the name of caring for others,” they noted.
The Virginia State Police continue their investigation into the specifics of the crash. This process involves analyzing the crash dynamics and the sequence of events that led to this tragic incident.
This fatal accident serves as a somber reminder of the hazards that emergency responders face daily in their efforts to assist and protect the public.
The community, while mourning the loss of Jacob Bozeman, also rallies to support the recovering individuals and all who are affected by this calamity.
