Ambulance hits cyclist then takes him to hospital but leaves him with massive medical bill, lawsuit claims
Lucy Devine
Featured Image Credit: Rainier Police Department
A man has filed a lawsuit against an ambulance provider after he was hit by an emergency vehicle before 'being sent a bill'.
William Hoesch, 71, from Oregon, was struck by an ambulance as it was turning right in the town of Rainier back in 2022.
After the incident, Hoesch was transported to hospital by the vehicle that struck him, but later received an invoice billing him for the journey and service, a lawsuit has claimed.
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Hoesch has now filed a $997,000 lawsuit against Columbia River Fire & Rescue after he was left with a fracture to his nose, as well as scrapes and other long-term injuries.
The crash happened in front of one of Columbia River Fire & Rescue's stations and allegedly occurred when the ambulance turned right in front of Hoesch, whose bicycle was crushed in the accident.
According to police reports, it's believed the ambulance was going somewhere between 2 and 10mph when a 'thump' was heard.
The lawsuit - which was filed last month - is seeking compensation for the 'pain and suffering' Hoesch has experienced as well as the long-term impact of the accident, which has left him with reduced grip and decreased motion.
Attorney Travis Mayor says Columbia River Fire & Rescue had sent Hoesch a $1,862 bill for taking him to hospital, where he received medical treatment for his nose and other injuries.
Meanwhile, Hoesch has racked up almost $47,000 in medical bills already and estimates another $50,000 of medical costs for treatment he will need for his injuries moving forward.
UNILAD has reached out to Columbia River Fire & Rescue for comment.
In July this year, a woman in Oregon sadly died when an ambulance crashed into her car - a Chevrolet Camaro - while she was on the side of the road with a flat tire, according to police.
Geraldean Martin, 55, was killed after the vehicle collided with hers on Interstate 84 in Hood River County in Oregon. She died at the scene.
The driver of the ambulance, as well as the patient who was in the back of the vehicle, were not injured in the accident.
Police said Martin's vehicle was on the side of the road with a flat tire, while Martin herself was outside of the car.
It is believed an investigation into the accident is still ongoing and no lawsuit has been filed in the case to date.