47-year-old patient in ambulance dies in fiery crash with Jeep, Ohio cops say

An ambulance patient died and two EMTs were seriously injured in a fiery crash on the way to a hospital, Ohio cops say.

The crash happened at 12:40 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, in Chardon, about 30 miles northeast of Cleveland.

Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers said a driver of a Jeep failed to yield at a stop sign, striking an ambulance. The ambulance overturned, and the Jeep caught on fire, according to a news release.

The patient, William Maley Jr., of Dorset, died from injuries sustained in the crash, highway patrol said. It’s unclear why he was being taken to a hospital.

The EMTs were taken to separate hospitals, both with serious injuries, troopers said. One of them was in surgery Tuesday, while the other was recovering from his injuries, South Central Ambulance EMS Chief Shaun Buehner told the Star Beacon.

The 36-year-old driver of the Jeep, Jason Slepsky, was wearing a seat belt and suffered non-life threatening injuries. Authorities said it’s believed he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Court records show Slepsky was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of aggravated vehicular assault. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence and failure to stop at a stop sign.

Slepsky was jailed on a $500,000 bond, WJW reported.

This story was originally published September 26, 2023 at 11:02 AM with the headline "47-year-old patient in ambulance dies in fiery crash with Jeep, Ohio cops say."