Ruskin Man Chased, Crashed Into Ambulance Carrying Patient: Hillsborough Sheriff

RUSKIN, FL — A Ruskin man was arrested after the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said he interfered with paramedics, followed an ambulance carrying a patient and intentionally caused a crash that put first responders and the patient in danger.

The incident began Friday night, just before 11 p.m., when Hillsborough County Fire Rescue responded to a medical call at a Ruskin home.

Paramedics were providing emergency medical care to a woman when Johnny Arman, 35, who was also at the home, became hostile, the sheriff’s office said.

Despite repeated commands to stay back, Arman repeatedly tried to force his way into the ambulance and interfered with paramedics, investigators said.

After the ambulance left the home with the patient, Arman got into his vehicle and followed it toward the hospital.

While traveling on Upper Creek Drive near Galen Court, Arman used his vehicle to block the ambulance’s path before accelerating directly toward it, the sheriff’s office said.

The ambulance driver tried to avoid a collision, but Arman’s vehicle struck the ambulance, forcing it off the roadway and into multiple utility boxes and a utility pole, according to investigators.

At the time of the crash, two Hillsborough County Fire Rescue paramedics and the patient were inside the ambulance.

The collision caused more than $100,000 in damage to utility infrastructure and required responses from TECO and Spectrum to repair the damaged equipment, according to the sheriff’s office.

“This suspect's actions went far beyond obstructing first responders. He deliberately targeted an ambulance carrying a patient in need of medical care, putting the lives of paramedics, the patient, and everyone on the roadway in jeopardy,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Emergency responders should never have to fear being attacked while performing their duties. This reckless and violent behavior will not be tolerated, and anyone who endangers those who dedicate their lives to saving others will be held fully accountable.”

Arman was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated battery on a firefighter with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief ($1,000 or more), burglary of an authorized emergency vehicle, and two counts of unlawfully impeding, threatening, or harassing a first responder.

See Also:

• Man Arrested In Hotel Killing Of 76-Year-Old St. Pete Woman: Pinellas Sheriff
• Driver Tried To Pull Over Undercover Deputy On U.S. 301, Hillsborough Sheriff Says
• Officer Kills Man Armed With Knife At St. Pete Home: Sheriff
• Sarasota 'Super Speeder' Clocked At 142 MPH On Interstate 75: FHP
• Oversized Trailer Swings Into SUV On I-75, Injuring Two Women