Elderly Oregon Cyclist Billed for Using an Ambulance that Struck and Injured Him
Columbia River Fire and Rescue billed an elderly cyclist $1,862 for transporting him to hospital after one of its ambulances had struck him, crushing his bicycle under its front wheel.
William Hoesch Files a $997,000 Lawsuit
William Hoesch (71) has filed a $997,000 lawsuit following the accident in which he fractured his nose and suffered several injuries.
His attorney, Travis Mayor, says his client has already faced medical bills amounting to $47,000, and is expecting to spend another $50,000 on future medical costs.
According to the lawsuit filed on October 24, the accident occurred when Hoesch was cycling through Rainier, a small town in Columbia County, in October 2022.
He was riding in the same direction as the ambulance in a street with a mix of businesses and residential homes.
The ambulance apparently made a right turn, smashing into Hoesch, injuring him and destroying his bicycle.
The ambulance was returning from a trip when the accident took place in front of the Columbia Fire and Rescue’s Rainier station.
The driver of the ambulance and his passenger told police that they were traveling at between 2 mph to 10 mph when they heard a thud. They stopped the vehicle and found Hoesch injured.
In turn, Hoesch told police he estimated that he was traveling at between 5 mph and 10 mph. He never anticipated that the ambulance would make a right turn in front of him, crushing his bicycle under a wheel. He is seeking restitution for pain and suffering.
Other accidents Involving Ambulances
There have been two recent accidents involving ambulances.
The estate of 25-year-old Kelsey Seibel last month filed a $6 million lawsuit against South Lincoln Ambulance and Yachats Rural Fire Protection District, alleging that one of their ambulances turned left in front of Seibel’s car. Seibel was killed in the accident on U.S. 101 in January 2024.
At 1 a.m. on July 18 an AMR ambulance hit a car with a flat tire parked on the side of Interstate 84 in Hood River County. Oregon State Police say Geraldean Martin (55), who was standing outside her car, was killed. To date, no lawsuit has been filed in the case.