JACKSON Tenn (December 1, 2018) – (UPDATE) Nashville police have released the names of the two victims in Friday night’s deadly single-vehicle ambulance accident.
The patient, 36-year-old Nyema Jackson, of Jackson, and Medical Center EMS paramedic, 36-year-old Zachary Pruitt, of Humboldt, were taken by ambulance to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. They died at the hospital.
The ambulance was transporting Jackson from Jackson General Hospital to a Nashville hospital when the accident occurred.
According to the preliminary accident report, the patient and the medic riding in the back of the ambulance were ejected from the rear of the vehicle after it struck a rock wall.
Weather and excessive speed are said to have contributed to the accident. Police say the driver lost control and left the roadway and struck wall on I-40 near the Charlotte Pike exit. The driver told police the ambulance hydroplaned.
The ambulance driver is identified as 55-year-old Deborah Schichtel, of Holladay. Police said Schichtel received non-life threatening injuries and was also taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
West Tennessee Healthcare released the following statement Saturday 10:15 AM:
“Shortly after 7:30pm on Friday, November 30, 2018, West Tennessee Healthcare management was notified that one of their Medical Center EMS ambulances was involved in a crash on I-40 Eastbound while transporting a patient from the Emergency Department at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital to a Nashville Hospital.
Authorities confirmed the death of the patient being transported and Medical Center EMS employee, Zach Pruitt, Paramedic, who was assisting the patient. The driver of the ambulance has been identified as Deborah Schichtel, advanced EMT, and she has now been discharged to her home after being treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
“Words will not express my deepest sympathies to the families of all who are impacted by this tragic event,” said James Ross, President and CEO. “We pray for a speedy recovery for Deborah, and we stand with all of the families and staff members as we grieve the precious loss of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them today, and will be in the days to come.””
by Keith Sherley
TWITTER: @keithsherley
EMAIL: [email protected]
