Collision with ambulance leads to Orange County suit

A collision with an ambulance has an Orange man filing a suit against the ambulance company and its driver.

Robert Bartholamew was driving near the 300 block of Carol and the 2300 block of Stakes in Orange on May 31, 2005, when he was in a collision with a vehicle owned by Orange County Ambulance Service.

Bartholamew filed a personal injury suit on May 3 in Orange County District Court against the ambulance company and the driver, Jeremy Tidwell.

The plaintiff's original petition says the driver failed to exercise due care, keep proper lookout, keep the vehicle under control, use the horn to warn other drivers, swerve to avoid collision, apply brakes, yield right of way and used faulty evasive action.

The suit alleges negligence per se due to the defendants' reckless driving, failure to sound horn and driving at an excessive speed.

Bartholamew is seeking damages of $50,000 or more for medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, lost wages and court costs.

He is requesting a trial by jury.

Jeffrey Chilton of Packard, Packard & LaPray is representing the plaintiff.

The case has been assigned to the 163rd Orange County District Court of Judge Dennis Powell.

Case No. B070-230-C