COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — Four people were hospitalized Friday morning, including a Collier County sheriff’s deputy and two paramedics, after the deputy’s unmarked vehicle collided with a Collier County ambulance carrying a 70-year-old patient, causing the ambulance to overturn.
The crash occurred at 7:42 a.m. at Davis Boulevard and Kings Way. The drivers of both vehicles claim they had the right of way, reported the Florida Highway Patrol, which is investigating the crash.
The deputy, identified in reports as 34-year-old Kristopher Sutton, was traveling north on Kings Way in a 2007 Ford sport utility vehicle approaching the intersection with Davis Boulevard, authorities said. At the same time, the ambulance, driven by 56-year-old Eva Weeks, was traveling west on Davis Boulevard approaching the same intersection.
Sutton’s SUV struck the ambulance’s left rear axle, knocking it on its right side, the FHP reported.
“We have the drivers’ statements,” Sgt. Dwayne Cooper of the Florida Highway Patrol said. “They both said they had green lights. Now we have to go to the independent witnesses. We have two of them.”
A patient on board the ambulance, 70-year-old Phyllis Robinson of Naples, was transported via air ambulance to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers with critical injuries.
“The patient had to be extricated, but I don’t know to what extent,” said East Naples fire spokesman Greg Speers, who was at the scene.
Cooper said Robinson, who was already on her way to a local hospital when the crash occurred, did not appear to have sustained any additional injuries as a result of the crash.
“She was strapped into the gurney,” Cooper said. “She may have been hanging on her side for a while until they got her out.”
Collier County Emergency Medical Services worker Rebecca Wilson, 33, of Labelle, was also transported to Lee Memorial Hospital with serious injuries, reports said. Wilson, who was not wearing a seat belt, suffered a broken pelvis in the crash.
Sutton and Weeks were transported to a NCH Downtown Naples Hospital with minor injuries, troopers said. They were both wearing seat belts. Sutton was not responding to a call at the time of the crash, Cooper said.
“He was just going to work,” Cooper said.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office referred all questions about to the crash to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash is not alcohol related, troopers said. However, charges are pending and Cooper said he is reviewing 911 calls to determine who had the right of way.
“Speed is not a factor,” Cooper said. “It’s a violation of right of way.”
Traffic was diverted from the intersection Friday morning, but was never stopped, Cooper said.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has information is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at (239) 278-7100.
