EMS Worker Killed in Ambulance Hijacking

Emergency Medical Technicians mourn EMT and Local 2507 member Yadira Arroyo Friday afternoon during a ceremony at EMS Station 26, in the Bronx, where she had worked. Photo: Clarence Elie-Rivera

By ALFREDO ALVARADO

An EMS worker was killed and another was injured on Thursday, March 16, as a 25-year-old man attempted to commandeer their ambulance.

Emergency Medical Technicians Yadira Arroyo and Monique Williams were responding to a nighttime emergency call in the Soundview section of the Bronx, when someone on the street noticed a man riding on the back bumper of their ambulance and alerted the workers.

When the Local 2507 members pulled over and confronted the man, he shoved them aside and took over their vehicle. The man knocked Williams to the ground, but put the ambulance in reverse and ran over Arroyo.

The 14-year veteran and mother of five children was pronounced dead on Thursday evening at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx.

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EMT Yadira Arroyo

“An Emergency Medical Technician lost in the line of duty bravely doing her job and encountering the kind of danger EMTs should not have to confront,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio at a press conference, alongside Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro and Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics and Inspectors Local 2507 President Israel Miranda.

“We know our EMTs are brave. They do crucial work–they save lives–but they should not ever have to be subjected to violence.  And yet, that danger always exists for them,” de Blasio added.

“It is difficult to convey the depth of our sorrow and anger. EMT Yadira Arroyo was literally a life saver. She went to work every day knowing that, at a moment’s notice, she could be called upon to face the awesome responsibility of saving a person’s life. Senseless violence snatched her from her children and family,” said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. “All of her union sisters and brothers are shocked by the cruelty of her death, and we will do all we can to help her loved ones get through this terrible time and to comfort her EMT partner Monique Williams as she recovers from her wounds.”

Arroyo and her partner were assigned to Station 26 in the Morrisania section of the Bronx.

Williams was treated for minor injuries and shock.

“This is a very sad day for our family entire FDNY family,” said Miranda. “Yadira was a respected professional among her colleagues and also respected in her community. Yadira will always be a part of our family.”

Arroyo is the eighth emergency medical worker and third woman to die in the line of duty, according to Nigro.

The police apprehended Jose Gonzalez, 25, of the Bronx,  for allegedly killing Arroyo. the police charged him with murder, grand larceny and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs.

 

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