Austin: When It Rains, It Pours...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/4/2007 3:57:38 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

ExLngHrn@... writes:

All I can say is dang.... not good PR for a place that really prides itself

on PR...

-Wes Ogilvie

As you said it's pouring in Austin.

The sad part is we all know that the actions of the few tend to tarnish the

reputations of the many and that is just not fair but life seldom is!

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

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[Guest guest]

All I can say is dang.... not good PR for a place that really prides itself on

PR...

-Wes Ogilvie

EMS investigating two paramedics after authorities say they interfered in

drunk-driving arrest

Police say paramedics helped former co-worker move vehicle out of street

By Tony Plohetski

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Austin- County Emergency Medical Services officials are investigating two

paramedics after authorities said they tried to prevent the drunken driving

arrest of a former co-worker who was later jailed.

EMS Director Herrington said today that the paramedics, Langford

and Peek, have been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of

the investigation.

A police affidavit says officers were called to investigate a person passed out

behind the wheel of a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe at the intersection of Cannon

Drive and Escarpment Boulevard at 4:05 a.m. Tuesday.

Herrington confirmed that Langford and Peek were the first to arrive on the

scene . When they recognized the driver, a former paramedic who appeared

intoxicated, Herrington said Langford and Peek then notified Austin police that

they weren't needed at the scene.

Officers responded anyway and learned that the paramedics had moved former

paramedic, J. Angeline's car from the accident scene, Herrington said.

" The officer wanted to see the patient, and one of the medics tried to

discourage the officer from approaching the patient, at which time the medic

said some things he shouldn't have said to the officer, " Herrington said.

Officers later arrested Angeline, 32, on a misdemeanor drunk-driving charge. He

has been released on bond from the County Jail.

According to the affidavit, Angeline " had either passed out or fallen asleep

behind the wheel of his vehicle with the engine running and his foot on the

brake. (Angeline) said he left (the) 6th Street area at 2:30 (a.m.) to go home. "

The affidavit said a witness saw Angeline passed out in the Tahoe and had tried

to wake him up. The witness told officers that Angeline drove forward a short

distance and stopped again, still in the street, the affidavit said. The

paramedics later arrived and helped Angeline move the Tahoe into a Walgreens

parking lot, the affidavit said.

Herrington said EMS is investigating the incident to determine what policies the

paramedics violated and whether they provided appropriate care to Angeline.

" It is absolutely not our policy to interfere with any kind of legal action, "

Herrington said. " The crews should have approached it clearly from a medical

standpoint. "

Austin police spokesman Buchman said detectives reviewed the incident and

" there doesn't appear to be a criminal element with regard to the conduct of the

paramedics. "

The investigation is the second high-profile incident involving EMS paramedics

in recent weeks.

Last month, several paramedics were disciplined and three others resigned after

officials said they were viewing Internet pornography on city computers while on

duty.

tplohetski@...; 445-3605

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