East Texas

By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer

ARP — Two emergency medical technicians were transported to a Tyler hospital Tuesday after the ambulance they were riding in was struck from behind by an 18-wheeler.

Arp firefighters and EMS personnel rushed to the scene on Texas Highway 64 east at County Road 246 when the accident was called in shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Barry Evans said the two Champion ambulance attendants were treated for back and neck injuries, but were released from a local hospital.

Evans said the ambulance, occupied with only the EMS personnel, and the tractor-trailer were both traveling east when another vehicle attempted to make a left turn.

“The ambulance driver attempted to slow down, but didn’t want to run into the back of traffic so he moved into the oncoming traffic lane, which was clear, to avoid hitting anyone,” he said.

Evans said the truck driver followed the ambulance. When the ambulance slowed, the truck ran into the back of the ambulance and then went off the wet roadway.
The truck continued until it jack-knifed and hit the woman’s vehicle. She was turning left onto County Road 246.

Evans said late Tuesday afternoon the incident was still under investigation, but added one or two of the drivers could be cited with traffic offenses.

No one else was injured in the accident.

Updated Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. CST

A Henderson EMS ambulance shows the results of being hit by an 18-wheeler off CR 246 and Highway 64 near Arp.
(Staff photo by Jaime R. Carrero)