Mississippi EMT Charged with Driving Ambulance Under the Influence

Posted by: Curt Varone August 25, 2020 0

An EMT for American Medical Response in Mississippi is facing DUI charges after a concerned citizen filmed and persuaded the ambulance driver to pull over last Saturday.  The incident occurred while the ambulance was transporting a patient.

The concerned citizen, Richard Freshour, was quoted by WLOX as saying “I says no she’s going to kill somebody or she’s going to hurt herself or whoever.” He called police, filmed the erratic driving and eventually convinced the ambulance driver, Kerstii Groce, to pull over.

The video shows the ambulance weaving back and forth, and driving in the breakdown lane for an extended period of time. Groce was later charged with driving under the influence by Moss Point police.

The following day Groce was released on bail from the Jackson County Adult Detention Center, and was placed on unpaid leave from AMR. Video from Freshour and WLOX is available, but not all of it could not be embedded here. Here is a link to WLOX coverage that includes the videos.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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