Tuesday, November 25, 2003

In TN, accident victim sues rescuers who left him at scene thinking he was dead

The Kingsport paper (registration required) has this story about the Hawkins County man who was left at an accident scene last year for almost two hours because the emergency personnel thought he was dead. The plaintiff is seeking $5 million.

The article notes:

"The accident occurred on Nov. 24, 2002, about 5:30 a.m. when Rollins' 1984 Chevrolet pickup left Caney Valley Road at a curve near the Gene Derrick Road intersection and struck several trees.

According to reports, the Stanley Valley Volunteer Fire Department was first to arrive on the scene. Firefighters reportedly checked for a pulse on Winegar and found none.

Church Hill EMS arrived next, and a paramedic also reportedly checked for Winegar's pulse and found none.

Stanley Valley VFD Lt. Charles Thacker told the Times-News last year that Winegar was lying on the hood of the pickup partially through the windshield with a sheet over him while an investigation of the accident was under way. The Hawkins County Sheriff's Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol also responded to the accident.

Thacker said about 7 a.m. he noticed Winegar moving under the sheet. Hawkins County Central Dispatch records show that at 7:17 a.m. Winegar was on his way to Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport."

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