Penn Hills paramedic killed in ambulance crash
A Penn Hills paramedic and volunteer firefighter died late Sunday when the ambulance he was driving crashed in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood, officials said.
Nicholas A. Theofilis, 23, died around 11:40 p.m., about a half hour after the crash near the intersection of Fifth and Morewood avenues, according to Penn Hills EMS Supervisor Diane Glonta Fitzhenry.
Ms. Glonta Fitzhenry said Mr. Theofilis died from his injuries suffered in the crash.
The ambulance was not transporting a patient at the time.
Pittsburgh police officials said officers responded about 11 p.m. for a three-vehicle crash. Mr. Theofilis was in cardiac arrest when they arrived, officials said. He was transported to the hospital where he died a short time later.
A male passenger in the ambulance suffered head trauma, cuts to his face and a possible concussion, police said. The driver of the car involved in the crash was taken to a hospital in stable condition complaining of abdominal pain. A third car was struck in the crash but no one inside was injured.
Pittsburgh’s collision unit is investigating.
“As chief of Pittsburgh EMS, this hits hard,” Ronald Romano said in a statement. “The loss of one of our brothers or sisters in the emergency medical services field is a loss for all of us.
“We are reminded of the fragility of life on a daily basis,” he said, “and this tragedy is no exception.”
Mr. Theofilis was also a part- time paramedic for White Oak EMS, where he started full time in March 2019 as he worked through paramedic school.
“Upon graduation and fulfilling his dream of becoming a paramedic, Nick was anxious to return to the community of Penn Hills where he grew up to give back and serve his fellow community members,” White Oak EMS officials said in a statement. “Nick called White Oak his ‘second home’ and remained on our part-time roster.”