A pedestrian was hospitalized after an incident involving an Orange County Fire Rescue Department (OCFRD) ambulance in Kissimmee yesterday. The collision, reported at 11:05 a.m. at the intersection of John Young Parkway and Oak Street, involved a medical transport unit responding to an unrelated call and en route to Orlando Regional Medical Center at the time of the accident. Sheila Rodriguez, an eyewitness who works nearby, recounted the moments following the incident, saying, "We did see that there was a person … trapped under the ambulance," as detailed in a WESH report.
The Kissimmee Fire Department took the injured individual to a hospital for medical treatment. Though the nature of the injuries was initially unclear, it has been confirmed that they were non-life-threatening, according to the Kissimmee Fire Department. It has not been disclosed whether the accident will slowly become a topic that will generate larger conversations regarding pedestrian safety in the area, particularly as the intersection is undergoing a $3.4 million road improvement project with incomplete sidewalks and traffic signals. "Pedestrians, watch it," urged Rodriguez in a statement obtained by WESH, who pointed out the dangers of crossing such a busy roadway.
Following the collision, OCFRD has indicated a commitment to review the incident and fully cooperate with law enforcement, who lead the investigation into the accident. "The safety of our citizens and our firefighters is the top priority of Orange County Fire. The department is currently reviewing the incident and is committed to cooperating with law enforcement, which is the lead agency investigating the motor vehicle incident," relayed a spokesperson for OCFRD in a statement received by ClickOrlando.
As investigations continue, there is a renewed focus on the safety of pedestrians and emergency responders within the area. An official from the Kissimmee Police Department confirmed that they are actively investigating the circumstances that led to the collision and have yet to release additional details. The ongoing road construction adds an extra layer of complexity to the navigation of the intersection, which is slated to be completed by next spring. Amidst this, residents like Rodriguez urge pedestrians and drivers to exercise extra caution. "Because drivers, even though we are going the speed limit, we can't stop if people are jumping out in front of cars," Rodriguez told WESH.
