HOME GARDENS, CA – A private ambulance became the focal point of a tragic incident on an otherwise quiet Saturday morning. The vehicle crashed into a palm tree, leaving the community in shock and three individuals hospitalized, one of whom later died.
Maya Gutiérrez, a resident living nearby, was jolted awake by the sound of the collision. “It was so loud that it shook my entire house,” she recounted. The force of the crash was so severe that the ambulance was left barely recognizable, with its frame bent and snapped.
According to investigators, the accident occurred when the American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance was transporting a patient to the hospital. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to slam into the tree. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
The ambulance driver and a paramedic suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment. Sadly, the female patient in the back of the ambulance did not survive. It remains unclear whether her death was directly caused by the accident or her existing medical condition.
The investigation revealed that the ambulance was not using its lights or sirens at the time of the crash. This has led to speculation about the potential causes of the accident, with some suggesting a blown tire or an animal in the road as possible factors.
Witnesses expressed concerns over the working conditions of medical personnel, suggesting that long shifts could contribute to such incidents. Additionally, local residents noted the complexity of the roadways in the area, which frequently change due to ongoing construction.
A spokesperson for AMR stated that a thorough review of the incident is underway, with the company’s immediate focus being the well-being of their team and providing support to those affected by the tragedy.
The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, and authorities have yet to determine whether speed was a contributing factor. The community remains on edge as they await further information and hope for a resolution to this tragic event.