PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — Putnam County deputies are looking for a person who threw a firecracker at the windshield of an ambulance in transport, causing the windshield to crack.
On April 16, The Putnam County Sheriff's Office says Rescue 85 was transporting a patient to the hospital from the area of Bardin Road and Springside Shortcut Road when somebody threw a firecracker at the windshield of the vehicle.
The person then took off in an older model white Cadillac. Deputies say nobody in the ambulance was injured, and the unit was able to get to the hospital without any delays.
"In 23 years, the audacity and the carelessness of doing something like this with an ambulance," said Putnam County Chief Deputy Joseph Wells.
Wells has seen a lot in two decades on the force, but this is a first.
"There's not a lot of forgiveness on the side of Bardin Road," said Wells. "It could've easily rolled that ambulance over, and the situation would have been horrible at that point. That's why this is absolutely intolerable."
Initially, investigators thought it was a firecracker after the paramedics told them it looked like something sparked on impact. However, based on the damage, Wells thinks it was something more substantial, like a firework or something ceramic.
They started looking at it as a misdemeanor, but Wells thinks it's more serious.
"Any time that you launch or throw anything at a vehicle that is likely to cause harm to someone inside it, that makes it a felony crime," said Wells.
He says they've received some tips and are optimistic they'll catch someone.
"If this is not solved, then whoever is responsible will think they got away from it," said Wells. "They probably got some sick amusement from it, so it's really imperative we find out who this is."
"This incident could have ended completely different if the driver had not remained so focused despite having an ignited projectile thrown at him," said PCSO on Facebook. "Not only does the driver have to maintain awareness, but also keep a steady hand at driving, so his partner can render life-saving measures including injections if needed. The person responsible put not only the patient's life at risk but also the emergency responders."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 386-329-0800 or Crime Stoppers of NE Florida at 1-888-277-8477.