Paramedic hit by suspected drunk driver, in critical condition

City of Newburgh officials tell News 12 that the 58-year-old Ambulunz first responder was struck by a Ford pickup truck Friday just after 6 p.m.

Blaise Gomez

Dec 19, 2022, 8:04 PM

Updated 715 days ago

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A paramedic in Orange County remains in critical condition Monday after she was hit crossing Robinson Avenue at the end of her shift by an alleged drunk driver.   
City of Newburgh officials tell News 12 that the 58-year-old Ambulunz first responder was struck by a Ford pickup truck Friday just after 6 p.m. 
A source tells News 12 that the paramedic was crossing four lanes of traffic to get to the employee parking lot across the street when she was hit. 
The driver, Pablo Colector, from White Plains, was charged with DWI, DUAI and vehicular assault.  
A representative for Ambulunz wouldn’t comment on where the employee was headed after her shift or on safety concerns made by EMS sources about the employee parking lot’s location.   
The company issued a statement saying, “The Ambulunz family sends our thoughts and prayers for comfort, healing and recovery to our paramedic and their family.”   
New York state law makes it a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison for injuring emergency medical service personnel, but it’s not clear if the law applies in this case.  
Authorities say the alleged drunk driver to blame was released on an appearance ticket.   
The victim is in critical but stable condition, according to city officials. 
At least one other paramedic was involved in a second, unrelated crash this weekend in the city of Newburgh.  
Officials say a Mobile Life ambulance and a car collided on the corner of Mill and Dickson streets on Saturday.  
So far, no word on if anyone was injured during that incident.