LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Bullitt County paramedic is in critical condition in the ICU after a semi-truck crashed into an ambulance in downtown Louisville early Monday morning.
Now, WHAS11 is learning the incident stems from an even earlier incident involving teenagers and Kentucky State Police (KSP).
Around 3:30 a.m., Louisville Metro Police responded to a vehicle collision involving a Bullitt County ambulance at the intersection of East Chestnut Street and Brook Street, according to an LMPD news release.
The ambulance was transporting a teenage patient to a Louisville hospital.
Metro Police say the ambulance's lights and sirens were on as it drove through a red light, which is often standard practice in emergencies. The semi-truck was moving northbound on I-65, exiting on the ramp to Brook Street.
The paramedic, a 60-year-old man, was actively caring for the patient when the impact threw him out from the back of the vehicle. The paramedic, who authorities aren't identifying at the privacy request of the family, is set to have surgery after suffering serious fractures and internal injuries -- as well as a potential injury to his head.
"He has dedicated his life to EMS," said Chris Hale, director of Bullitt County EMS. "It's been very somber. It's just [about] everybody keeping those injured in their minds."
On Monday, KSP confirmed the original patient is actually one of three teenagers officers had pursued and detained. The teens allegedly helped steal a car in Bullitt County and led police on a chase that ended in a fiery crash.
KSP says the teenager then left that scene, only later to be caught by police again. His condition wasn't made available.
Hale didn't give specifics about how the crash happened but did say the ambulance driver, a 32-year-old EMT, has been treated, released, and is home with her family.
Hale says the entire department is asking for prayers for the paramedic.
The LMPD Traffic Unit is investigating this collision.
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