Family Of Man Who Died After No Room At Hospital Hires Attorney

OAK CREEK, WI -- The family of a 46-year-old Oak Creek man who suffered a life-ending medical emergency just hours after he couldn't get a bed at an area hospital has hired an attorney as officials continue to investigate his tragic death.

In mid-December, Oak Creek Patch was the first to report how 46-year-old Spendi Rusitovski died in the back of an ambulance after he reportedly couldn't get a bed at the local hospital. According to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner, the an auto crash Rusitovski was in that evening was not the event that killed him.

"The doctor wanted to admit the decedent after a sonogram was performed, but no beds were available. He was sent home and told to wait for the hospital to call him when a bed was available," according to a Medical Examiner's report published online by WISN.

On Friday, JSOnline reported that Rusitovski's spouse Edina Rusitovski has retained an attorney with Habush, Habush and Rottier. "We are further investigating the facts and circumstances preceding and surrounding the unfortunate and tragic demise of Mr. Rusitovski," Attorney Benjamin Wagner said in the JSOnline report.

Rusitovski's Tragic Night In Oak Creek

According to police reports, an Oak Creek police officer on patrol on the night of Dec. 17 responded to the 8300 block of S. 13th Street on a report of a vehicle that was stuck in a ditch.

First responders said Rusitovski was alive, but acting confused and talking about suffering chest pains, according to reports. When police arrived, officers noted that Rusitovski suffered an apparent medical issue, causing him to pass out while behind the wheel. His car veered off the road, and struck a mail box on the 8300 block of S. 13th Street.

According to police reports, as Rusitovski was suffering chest pains at the accident scene, officers and paramedics performed life-saving measures in an attempt to save his life. He died in the ambulance at the scene a short time later, reports stated.

According to police reports, an officer spoke with Rusitovski's spouse, who said that her husband was at Ascension hospital earlier in the day for a visit with his doctor.

According to reports, Rusitovski's wife told police that his doctor wanted him admitted for a heart issue, but there were no rooms available. Rusitovski's wife told police he left the hospital and went home until a room could open up.

Police reports state Rusitovski went to the store later that day, and was returning home when he suffered the apparent medical issue.

According to media reports, Ascension-Franklin is unable to comment on Rusitovski's case due to state and federal privacy laws.

Patch File Photo By Scott Anderson