Authorities: Ambulette Driver Transported Patient While Drunk, Caused Multiple Accidents
Roosevelt, NY - June 27, 2017 - First Precinct officers report the arrest of a Brooklyn man for incidents that occurred on Monday, June 26, 2017 at 9:46 am in Roosevelt.
According to officers, Pedro Aponte, 45, while driving a “Life Care” ambulette and transporting a dialysis patient from his home in Queens to a treatment center in Nassau County, was involved in multiple accidents.
Officers received a call regarding an ambulette that struck a utility pole and left the scene on E. Greenwich Avenue near Nassau Road. While investigating that incident, another 911 call was dispatched for an ambulette that struck another utility pole in front of 250 E. Greenwich Avenue. Officers responded to that scene and came upon the heavily damaged ambulette, a fractured utility pole, damage to a parked vehicle and Aponte who was lying on the ground next to the ambulette.
Aponte, after a subsequent investigation, was found to be in an intoxicated condition, was placed into custody and taken to an area hospital for evaluation regarding the possibility of additional drug usage and for his complaints of chest pain.
The patient, a 77 year old male, during the collisions, suffered non-life threatening injuries to his ribs and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Aponte, who was admitted to the hospital, is charged with two (2) counts of Criminal Mischief 4th Degree, Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree, Driving While Intoxicated, Driving While Ability Impaired (Combination-Alcohol/Drugs), Driving While Ability Impaired (Drugs), and two (2) counts of Leaving the Scene of an Incident. He will be arraigned when practical.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.