Emergency Stories: SUV Rips Side Off Of Ambulance In Maryland

SUSAN PHILLIPS, WUSA9 | Thursday, September 16, 2010

DISTRICT HEIGHTS, Md. (WUSA) - A violent collision between an SUV and a ambulance has killed three people and sent two paramedics to the hospital.

Mark Brady, spokesperson for Prince George's County Fire and Rescue, says the crash happened shortly after Midnight in the 5600 block of Marlboro Pike in District Heights. According to Brady, investigators believe ambulance 826 was traveling west on Marlboro Pike on it's way to an overdose call on Tanow Place when it came upon a GMC Suburban traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes at a high rate of speed.

The ambulance, with emergency lights and siren activated, swerved to avoid a head-on collision. That's when the SUV side-swiped the ambulance and hit a brick wall and utility pole before landing on its roof. Brady says the SUV came to rest approximately 120 feet from where it struck the ambulance.

The SUV was occupied by three men, who were all pronounced dead at the scene. The two Firefighter/Medics in the ambulance were taken to a local trauma center for evaluation where they were treated and released.

Brady says the entire right side of the patient compartment of the ambulance was ripped away in the crash.

Accident Reconstruction Team from the Prince George's County Police Department was on the scene for hours Thursday morning.

The roadway has reopened.