TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The latest on an accident between an ambulance and two children in Terre Haute.
Around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday night, a Trans-care ambulance was responding to a call. Their route took them through the intersection of East Wheeler Avenue and South 13th Street in Terre Haute. As they came through the intersection, they collided with two kids on a bicycle.
Lieutenant Justin Sears said members of the Terre Haute Police Department were dispatched to the scene, where life saving measures were being attempted.
“One of the juveniles succumbed to their injuries and the second is being treated in Indianapolis for their critical injuries”, Sears said. “In critical condition, but stable.”
Wednesday afternoon, family of the victims were at the intersection of the accident.
Michael Poulter said his daughter, Autumn, was a beloved child.
“She was an amazing person”, Poulter said. “Anybody that knows Autumn, she’s going to be missed so much. She was my princess.”
Poulter added that he believes the driver of the ambulance acted recklessly.
“This is not my daughters’ fault”, Poulter said. “No 13-year-old girl should get struck in the road trying to be a kid, out riding a bike. Just the fact that they rolled through here with no sirens and in such a hurry. They were talking about not a high rate of speed; you don’t fling a body 75 feet when you get struck if you are not at a high rate of speed.”
Poulter is trying to determine what to do next.
“I know they’re at fault for this”, Poulter said. “I just don’t know what to do, I don’t know the next steps. I want justice for her, and I want it to be 110% justice for her and nothing else.”
We have reached out to Trans-care, but they have not yet responded with a statement.
Lieutenant Sears said THPD’s Fatal Accident Reconstruction Team, along with detectives, arrived on scene shortly after the incident and the situation is still currently under investigation.
To help the victims’ families, students organized a car wash and bake sale for Thursday, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Baesler’s. Proceeds are to help with funeral expenses and hospital bills.
