EAST BRUNSWICK (WABC) --
"They came through the intersection and were struck by another vehicle, which caused their vehicle to actually spin around and then land on its passenger side and skid across the roadway," says Lt. Kevin F. Zebro of the East Brunswick Police Department.
Police say the lights and sirens were going, with 24-year-old EMT Mark Seube at the wheel. The two were on their way to help another town with ambulance transport less than a mile away, when police tell Eyewitness News that a woman driving a Prius hit them at the intersection of Ryder Lane and Cranbury Road in East Brunswick. The ambulance then hit another car before flipping on its side. It's unclear if Patel was wearing a seatbelt. Her EMT partner and the driver of the Prius were injured in the accident, and taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to Lt. Zebro.
Patel wanted to eventually become a Physician or a Physician's Assistant. Her family tells Eyewitness News that she also worked as an EMT for the last two years at North Shelton volunteer fire company, and was even honored for her work as an EMT.
Chief John Scarpa said in a statement,
"Hinal was a very smart, dedicated member of our family and she will be greatly missed. She had many close friends at North Stelton. The members of the North Stelton Volunteer Fire Company are devastated by her loss."
The crash still remains under investigation, and police do not know if anyone will be cited or arrested.
EMS PERSONNEL ARE AT HIGH RISK OF INJURY FROM OTHER DRIVERS WHILE THEY ASSIST ACCIDENT VICTIMS
Slow down during bad weather and reduce your speed as you
approach emergency vehicles working on the highway
Also, please yield to EMS vehicles as many collisions have occurred
between EMS vehicles and other vehicles as they rush to respond to emergency
situations.