Decatur—
Early Wednesday morning, ambulances rush to the scene of another ambulance involved in a two-vehicle accident that ended in criminal charges.The damage to the black SUV was extensive. It was the result of a grinding accident around 7 a.m. in Decatur.
Police say the driver of the SUV, 28-year-old Paula Campbell of Decatur, pulled out in front of an ambulance driving westbound on Highway 20.
The medics had just dropped off a patient.
"The ambulance and the suv each had two individuals inside," said Sgt. John Crouch, a spokesman for the Decatur Police Department. "All four were injured. The passenger in the SUV was carried out by MedFlight with life-threatening injuries."
Police identify her as 32-year-old Christine Brooker. She was taken to Huntsville Hospital, fighting for her life. As of Thursday morning, she was listed in fair condition.
What isn't evident amidst the wreckage is what Decatur Police suspect was the cause of it all: a pungent odor of alcohol they say was coming from inside the SUV.
"The driver of the black SUV has been placed under arrest for DUI and is going to be transported the Decatur Police Department for further investigation," said Crouch.
He says Campbell was taken to Decatur General Hospital for treatment. A police officer stood by at the hospital, waiting to take her in for questioning and criminal processing in this accident.
As for the ambulance crew, Crouch says the EMT, Cassey Rutherford, was taken into surgery for treatment. The driver, Will Nessman, was also treated and listed in stable condition.
Investigators are still asking questions, as doctors tend to those injured.
Police are still trying to determine if Campbell had anything other than alcohol in her system. She's charged with driving under the influence, but could face more serious charges. They hope to find out where she was headed and where she was coming from within the next 24 hours.
