EMT Charged with 3rd Degree Assault After Striking Patient with iPad

PROSPECT, CT — A local man who is supposed to help people has been accused of assaulting a patient in the back of an ambulance in Monroe causing the man to sustain an abrasion to his forehead, according to a police report.

Alejandro Ramirez, 44, of Naugatuck, turned himself into police on Monday, April 18 after learning there was a warrant for his arrest.

Police said on March 14, 2016 at 5:38 p.m., Monroe EMS transported a patient to St. Vincent’s Hospital for psychiatric evaluation. The patient told a Monroe Police Officer that the EMT struck him in the head with an iPad after a heated exchange of words. A witness said they observed the EMT grab the patient by the throat and push down on it before striking the patient in the head, according to a release.

The EMT was an employee of Emergency Resource Management (ERM) of Portland, which contracts with Monroe EMS to provide paid staff from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. during the week.

Ramirez was charged with third degree assault and was released on a promise to appear. He is due in court on April 27, 2016.

Monroe police photo