Ambulance struck en route to hospital with patient

Delaware State Police responded to an accident involving an ambulance on the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 4, at Five Points in Lewes.

Police said the incident occurred about 4:37 p.m. as a Mid-Sussex ambulance was transporting a Priority 1 patient from a crash involving a personal watercraft on the Indian River to Beebe Medical Center’s emergency room.

They said Christian A. Jackson-Puglisi was driving the 2008 ambulance eastbound on Lewes-Georgetown Highway, entering the intersection of Coastal Highway with all emergency signals activated, including the siren. As the ambulance entered the intersection with the northbound traffic, they said, a 2000 Chevrolet Prism operated by Evan P. Hutton failed to see it and struck the ambulance on the front passenger side.

“The ambulance was pushed counterclockwise and remained in the roadway. The Prism continued in a northeast direction before coming to a stop,” the DSP wrote in a statement.

Jackson-Puglisi, who police say was properly restrained, was removed from the scene and transported to Beebe Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, as was a 21-year-old EMT. The patient was transferred on to another ambulance and transported to Beebe, as well. Three paramedics on board were not injured and continued treatment to all patients.

Hutton, police said, was not properly restrained and had to be extricated from his vehicle. He was later removed by EMS to Beebe Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Traffic was impacted for approximately two hours. Police said their investigation was continuing and charges were pending.