Ill. Ambulance Crew Attacked

Aug. 12--EAST ST. LOUIS -- Two ambulance workers who were trying to help a woman who was having trouble breathing were attacked by the female early Thursday.

The woman, whose name wasn't released, is now sitting in an East St. Louis jail cell facing aggravated battery charges.

The ambulance workers did not require medical treatment, Detective Michael Floore said.

MedStar was dispatched to the 1500 block of Wynstanley Avenue at 1:34 a.m. in reference to a 20-year-old woman having trouble breathing, Floore said.

When the ambulance crew arrived, they found the victim lying on the ground.

"They attempted to render aid, but a massive crowd, including family members and friends were standing around," Floore said.

When the ambulance crew got the victim inside the ambulance, a man, who police believe is the victim's brother, got inside the ambulance. The crew told him he had to exit the vehicle.

Floore said when the victim noticed the male was no longer in the ambulance with her, she unbuckled her seat belt and attempted to get out of the ambulance. Family members, who were on the outside of the ambulance, were holding the door closed so she couldn't get out, Floore said.

After the victim realized she couldn't get out of the ambulance, she started striking a male MedStar employee on the head and in his face. Then, a female MedStar employee opened the side door to allow the victim out.

The victim then scratched the female employee all over her face.

"After the woman got out, the ambulance driver drove just a short ways down the street away from the crowd and called police and a second ambulance," Floore said.

A MedStar spokesman could not be reached for comment Thursday.

The woman was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery.

Investigators plan to submit the case to the St. Clair County State's Attorney's office today for review and charges, Floore said.

Contact reporter Carolyn P. Smith at 239-2503.