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A rider in Oregon has taken a near-million dollar lawsuit arising from a farcical situation dating back to October 2022. William Hoesch was struck by an ambulance while out riding, suffering a fractured nose and other injuries. He was bundled into the vehicle and brought to hospital, then billed for the costs of that transport.
The now-71 year old has filed a lawsuit seeking $997,000 over the accident. According to OregonLive, the lawsuit states that both Hoesch and the vehicle were moving in the same direction along a street in Rainier, Columbia County.
The ambulance made a right turn outside Columbia River Fire & Rescue’s Rainier station, cutting across the rider. He told police that he was moving between 5 and 10 miles per hour. The driver and a passenger have said that the vehicle was traveling at between 2 and 10 miles per hour. They stated that they stopped and saw Hoesch after hearing a thump.
His bicycle was crushed by the ambulance wheel.
His attorney Travis Mayor said that after that ambulance brought him to hospital, it sent him a $1,862 bill for the ride. Mayor said that Hoesch has incurred a total of $47,000 in medical expenses thus far, with an additional $50,000 anticipated.
The lawsuit, filed October 24, states his injuries have left him with a decreased range of motion plus other symptoms. In addition to those current and anticipated medical costs, he is seeking $900,000 for pain and suffering from Columbia River Fire & Rescue.
That company declined to comment, while Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co. didn’t respond to a request for comment.
OregonLive notes two recent fatalities involving ambulances. It stated that 25 year old Kelsey Siebel was killed when a vehicle from South Lincoln Ambulance and Yachats Rural Fire Protection District made a left turn in front of his car in January of this year. A $6 million lawsuit was filed last month.
The publication also states that an AMR ambulance struck a car with a flat tire at 1 a.m. on July 18. It was parked on the side of Interstate 84 in Hood River County. 55 year old Geraldean Martin was standing by her car and was killed in the collision.
