PLANT CITY, Fla. – A Polk County Fire Rescue ambulance taking a critical stroke patient to a hospital was struck in a hit-and-run crash Friday night on Interstate 4 in Plant City, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred around 7:12 p.m. as the ambulance was traveling with activated emergency equipment on westbound I-4 just east of exit 19 (Thonotosassa Road), troopers said.
Recommended Videos
According to a preliminary FHP crash report, a vehicle believed to be a silver or gray Chrysler 300 attempted to overtake and pass the ambulance at a high rate of speed. The suspect vehicle struck the left rear of the ambulance before continuing west on I-4, the report states.
The ambulance was brought to a controlled stop along the shoulder, troopers said. The stroke patient, described as a 40-year-old woman, was soon airlifted from the crash scene for advanced medical care, the report states.
The two paramedics who were inside of the ambulance were not injured in the crash and its driver reported the suspect vehicle as having significant passenger-side damage, according to FHP.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or knows more about it is urged to contact FHP at *FHP (*347) or Crime Stoppers at **TIPS (**8477).
Note: This map depicts the general area of this crash and not necessarily its exact location.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: