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North Channel Sentinel - News

Man dies after jumping from ambulance

By MATT HOLLIS
Published: 10.30.08
A man was struck and killed by oncoming traffic on the East Freeway after he jumped out of an ambulance taking him to the hospital, according to Harris County Sheriff deputies.

Lewis Emmitt Dunn, 47, died at the scene.

The incident began at 6:20 p.m. Oct. 24, when paramedics for the North Channel Emergency Medical Service attempted to take Dunn to the Bayshore Hospital apparently for an overdose.

“(Dunn) was in the rear of a North Channel EMS ambulance when he became combative,” said Deputy Q.O. Cooper. “He removed his restraints and attempted to open the side door of the ambulance. (He) then began threatening to jump from the ambulance.”

The ambulance stopped at the 2300 block of East Sam Houston Parkway on the outside south bound shoulder of the roadway. Dunn then exited the ambulance, ran across the southbound lanes, and then into the north bound lanes.

Cooper said paramedics attempted to reason with Dunn to get him to return to the ambulance or at least stay on the shoulder out of traffic until the deputies arrived.

“(He) was belligerent and refused to cooperate with paramedics,” Cooper said.

Authorities said Dunn began walking west across the north bound lanes and was struck by a 2000 gold GMC Yukon that was traveling north.

Despite prompt medical attention, Dunn died at the scene.

The case remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Office Traffic Enforcement Section.



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