A 23-year-old paramedic in Pittsburgh suffered a heart attack as he was driving an ambulance late Sunday night, causing him to sustain fatal injuries after he crashed into another vehicle.
The collision reportedly resulted in multiple injuries.
Pittsburgh Public Safety acknowledged the death of EMS driver Nicholas A. Theofolis, saying he was “killed in the line of duty as the result of a collision.”
Pittsburgh Public Safety offers its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Nicholas A. Theofilis of Penn Hills EMS who was killed in the line of duty as the result of a collision in Shadyside overnight.
Press Release ➡️ https://t.co/pP11PuC6U1 pic.twitter.com/klwf7mWwEQ
— Pittsburgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) November 28, 2022
The Pittsburgh Public Safety press release stated:
The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety offers its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Nicholas A. Theofilis of Penn Hills Emergency Medical Services who was killed in the line of duty as the result of a collision in the Shadyside neighborhood overnight.
“This tragic incident underscores the dangers first responders face each and every day on the job. No call is an ordinary call and paramedics, police, and firefighters put the lives of strangers ahead of their own as they serve their fellow residents without question or hesitation. Pittsburgh Public Safety supports Penn Hills EMS during this extremely difficult time,” said Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS responded and transported three patients from the collision.
“As Chief of Pittsburgh EMS, this hits hard. The loss of one of our brothers or sisters in the emergency medical services field is a loss for all of us. The Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS is feeling this deeply. We are reminded of the fragility of life on a daily basis and this tragedy is no exception. We stand with Penn Hills EMS and offer our heartfelt sympathies and ongoing support as the department mourns one of its own,” said Pittsburgh EMS Chief Ronald Romano.
Devastating news this morning—the driver for a Penn Hills EMS unit has died after a crash involving at least one other car. 3 people total were taken to the hospital, per @PghPublicSafety. 2 other victims are listed as stable. I’ll have details on @WTAE 4:30-7a. pic.twitter.com/rTojP3z4vK
— Tori Yorgey WTAE (@toriyorgeytv) November 28, 2022
UPDATE | Penn Hills EMS confirms 23yo Nicholas Theofilis was the victim who died in a car crash last night. He was a paramedic for Penn Hills/White Oak EMS, & a firefighter for Rosedale VFD. He was on the job driving an ambulance when the crash happened. @WTAE Photo: T. Lantry pic.twitter.com/U55pAQZDOe
— Tori Yorgey WTAE (@toriyorgeytv) November 28, 2022
Pittsburgh Public Safety stated in this Sunday report:
EMS, Fire and Police responded to reports of a three vehicle crash involving a Penn Hills medic unit and a vehicle at 5th Avenue and Morewood Avenue just after 11 p.m.
Pittsburgh EMS found the male driver of the Penn Hills medic unit in cardiac arrest. Medic 9 transported him to the hospital in life-threatening condition. He was later pronounced deceased in the hospital.
The male passenger in the medic unit suffered head trauma, facial lacerations, and a possible concussion. Medic 14 transported him in stable condition.
The driver of the vehicle was complaining of abdominal pain and Medic 12 took him to the hospital in stable condition. A third vehicle was struck as a result of the initial collision. No one was injured.
There were no patients in the ambulance at the time of the crash.
The Collision Investigation Unit was requested to investigate.
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