STATter 911: Driver of ambulance pulled over by Oklahoma Highway Patrol speaks out. Watch entire interview with Creek Nation EMT-B Paul Franks.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Driver of ambulance pulled over by Oklahoma Highway Patrol speaks out. Watch entire interview with Creek Nation EMT-B Paul Franks.

Click here and then scroll down for the latest fire and EMS news from STATter911.com

June 16 update: Paramedic White says Trooper Martin should have badge and gun taken away

Watch raw interview with EMT-B Paul Franks

More STATter911.com coverage: Trooper's lawyer says medic is danger to the community; Dash cam video released; Fox News interviews EMS crew & Trooper Martin; Trooper on administrative leave; No charges filed by DA; EMT-B Paul Franks speaks out; Read statements from Toopers Martin & Iker; Troopers identified; Statements from witnesses and the patient; Reaction from police officers; Statements from EMS crew.

KWTV-TV reporter Dave Jordan, who did the initial story about the confrontation between a Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper and a Creek Nation ambulance crew, now has another first. Jordan interviewed EMT-B Paul Franks who was driving the ambulance on May 26 when the incident occurred in Paden, Oklahoma.

Franks said he felt compelled to come forward after reading the statement by Trooper Daniel Martin. He refers to the some of the comments as "outright lies".

Martin's statement indicates that Franks gave the trooper the finger after failing to yield to Martin's vehicle. Here are excerpts from Jordan's story filed on KWTV-TV's website:

Franks said it never happened, and if anything, Martin was the aggressor.

Trooper Martin said Paramedic Maurice White emerged from the back of the vehicle and "he presented himself in a hostile manner."

But Franks said White was acting in defense of his patient who was being transported to a nearby hospital, and Martin was enraged.

"Trooper got out of his car very, very angry," Franks said. "Dash Cam will show his actions, if we ever see it."

District Attorney Max Cook is not releasing the video because it's part of an investigation.

"If they're so convinced that he was right...let's see that Dash Cam," Franks said.

Trooper Martin is now the subject of an internal investigation by OHP, but he still remains on the job.

District Attorney Cook has not said when or if he will file any charges against anyone involved in the confrontation.

# posted by Dave Statter @ 12:52 AM

Comments:

SUPEONA THE DASH CAMS OF EVERY LOCAL,COUNTY &STATE COP THAT WAS ON SCENE OF THE STOLEN CAR---1 OF THOSE 40 DASH CAMS MUSTA CAUGHT "THE BAD EMT FINGER". SOMETHING TELLS ME THERE WILL NEVER BE ANY DASH CAM FOOTAGE. WHY DIDN'T ANY OTHER COP OR FAMILY MEMBER OR CIVILIAN SEE THIS FINGER GESTURE? EMS HAS BEEN NOTHIN BUT CLASSY THROUGH THIS WHOLE POLICE FICTION STORY--WAY TO STAND UP TO THE MAN!

# posted by

Anonymous : June 5, 2009 11:52 AM

I still want to know what OSPs policy is about running code 3 on something as routine as a stolen car. Had the trooper had an accident in route to something so stupid, the lawyers would have had his butt and the states insurance for lunch. Our local state police here push stolen car reports to the lowest priority...taken well after all other calls are handled.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 5, 2009 11:56 AM

let the EMT do his or her job. I dont know the whole story, but in most states EMTs and F.D. have juristicton. Screw the highway patrol!

# posted by

Anonymous : June 8, 2009 7:39 PM

THEY NEED TO RELEASE THAT DASH CAM VIDEO.. THE POLICE ARE SO SCREWED UP THESE DAYS. WHAT HAPPENED TO PROTECT AND SERVE????

# posted by

TerriH : June 11, 2009 3:53 PM

COPS bad. EMT good. video proofs ie.

# posted by

prestonlewis : June 13, 2009 5:25 PM

That Trooper gives all Troopers a bad name. He was wrong. If I were there, and it were my mother in the back of that ambulance. I would be sueing that state of Oklahoma for all it's worth and at this point in time, I don't thinks it's worth a damn if they can get away with this.

What a disgrace! That man should be fired. No if ands or butts! get that man off the street before he kills someone.

You people disgust me. Poor state of OK. Just when I thought you were entering the 20th century.

Me. leave my name.l No way. They will be coming to my state to frame me for something! You'll suck.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 15, 2009 8:57 PM

That trooper is a stupid sob, what in the hell possesed that dumbass to stop an ambulance. What a stupid asshole!!!!!!!!!!!

# posted by

Anonymous : June 16, 2009 12:03 AM

I thought all county and state agencies were suppose to work together. How does the state trooper think that a stolen car is more important than a patients life. No matter what happened, the police should have allowed EMS to continue to the hospital, and then addressed the issue there. He should be fired, and he gives all highway patrol a bad name. He should have given them a police escort once he was dismissed from his stolen car call, instead of chasing them down and delaying the treatment of the patient. If that were my family member, my mom would be the richest women in oklahoma,at the very least, she wouldnt have any medical bills, and she damn sure wouldnt be paying for the ambulance ride, that would be paid in full by the Oklahoma State Highway Patrol.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 18, 2009 2:10 PM

This Just disgusts me on such a HUGE level...I am in EMS and Firegighting, but my family is also in law enforcement...Police used to be a force that citizen's could trust to protect and serve...that Trooper was completely irrational and violent. He SHOULD have his badge removed and be charged with assault! I wonder if he would have been such an ass if it was his mother in the ambulance on its way to the hospital.......

# posted by

Tim : August 13, 2009 11:00 AM