Paramedic critically hurt after ambulance and semi crash in downtown Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Bullitt County paramedic is in critical condition in the intensive care unit at University of Louisville Hospital after an ambulance and semi crashed downtown.

The chain of events began with three teenagers in a stolen car, Kentucky State Police said Monday.

Police said the teens stole the car and led police on a short pursuit in Bullitt County early Monday morning. That ended in fiery crash, sending one of the teens to the hospital. Just after 3:30 a.m., the Bullitt County ambulance transporting that injured teen was involved in the crash with the semi truck on the Brook Street exit off Interstate 65 North.

According to the Louisville Metro Police Department, the ambulance had its lights and sirens on when it headed east on West Chestnut Street and went through a red light. That's when police said it was hit by a semi that was northbound on I-65 exiting on the ramp to Brook Street.

The semi truck t-boned the ambulance. Police said the ambulance had the right of way to run the red light. It's not clear if the driver of the semi-truck is facing any charges.

The 60-year-old paramedic in the back of the ambulance with the patient was ejected from the back. He has life-threatening injuries, including multiple fractures, internal injuries and a head injury. At the time of this writing, he remains in critical but stable condition.

A 32-year-old female EMT was driving but has minor injuries.

Louisville EMS said the teen riding in the Bullitt County ambulance at the time was taken by private means to Norton Children's Hospital. His or her condition is not known.

A second teen was taken to a different hospital to be checked out, and the third was released.

The LMPD Traffic Unit is investigating.