Gaston County is in mourning following the death of Mary Jolly, a 27-year-old paramedic from Gaston County Emergency Medical Services (GEMS), who succumbed to injuries received while attempting to aid a crash victim on Interstate 95 in Brevard County, Florida. Gaston County Government confirmed that Jolly passed away this morning in a Florida hospital, as she was surrounded by her family and GEMS Chief Mark Lamphiear.
The incident took place early Saturday morning and involved Jolly getting struck by another vehicle while she was delivering medical assistance to a driver previously hit by a car, this according to the Florida Highway Patrol report. Jolly, who joined GEMS in 2021, was not only a pivotal member of the swift water rescue team, which competed in Fayetteville this September but also a recognized paramedic, named B-Shift Outstanding Paramedic in 2023 alongside Christopher Flitt and a part of the team that earlier this summer saved a resident experiencing a heart attack.
"Mary was more than a colleague — she was part of our EMS family," Jamie McConnell, GEMS Deputy Chief, told Gaston County Government in a statement. McConnell highlighted Jolly's compassion and commitment, saying, "Her compassion, steady presence, and deep commitment to serving this community touched countless lives."
Deputy County Manager Vincent Wong also paid tribute, stating, “Mary represented the finest qualities of our EMS professionals – dedication, courage, and a commitment to caring for every person she encountered, we are heartbroken by her passing,” Wong's tribute captured the regard with which Jolly was held by her peers and the community.
