Jun 20, 2006 9:17 pm US/Mountain
Ambulance Driver Cleared In Fatal Accident
By CBS4 producer Raetta Holdman
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) ―
Boulder police have cleared an ambulance driver in May accident that killed a 16-year-old girl.
The investigation included more than 30 interviews, vehicle inspections, data collection and an accident reconstruction. Boulder police also had its investigation reviewed by the Greenwood Village Police.
Police said Kevin Shepard, 27, was driving over the speed limit on the evening of May 1. His ambulance was going 41 mph in an area with a posted speed limit of 35 mph. However, he was responding to a call and Pridemark Paramedic, the ambulance company, allows drivers to travel 10 mph over the posted limit on emergency calls.
The ambulance was heading south on 30th Street and Hannah Boemker, 16, was driving 1993 Honda Civic and was turning from Euclid Avenue onto northbound 30th Street.
Investigators said they believe Boemker made a full stop, hesitated and then turned into the intersection. Police said both Boemker and Shepard tried to avoid the accident, but both also corrected in the same direction and collided.
Police said there was an iPod in Boemker's car but they do not know if she was listening to it. Such an action could possibly have prevented her from hearing the ambulance's sirens. The windows on her car were also rolled up.
According to the Boulder Daily Camera, Shepard was described as "hysterical" at the scene, first trying to help Boemker but eventually turning the medical response over to others. Another paramedic, Michael Dunn, was with Shepard.
The Camera report also says Shepard's supervisor took him away from the scene. Police say that action was not a legal violation, but they said they prefer that anyone involved in an accident remain on scene.
Investigators said neither alcohol nor drugs played a factor in the accident.
City of Boulder officials are reviewing the intersection where the accident happened to see if a signal is needed at 30th and Euclid. A similar review in 2001 determined it was not needed.
The Camera reported that Boulder has changed its response to fires because of the accident. The ambulance was on its way to a reported structure fire. Moments after the crash it was determined to be a smoking barbecue grill. Now Boulder will call for a speeding ambulance only if it is clear there is a medical emergency.
Police investigators met with the District Attorney's office June 13 and the meeting ended with no charges being filed.
Police met with Boemker's parents who said through a release they wanted to "thank the community for all the support, caring thoughts, and for respecting their privacy."
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