OKLAHOMA CITY -- An EMSA paramedic is charged with negligent homicide in relation to a car accident on Dec. 10. Benjamin Samples, 36, was driving an EMSA unit that was responding to a priority 2 fall call.
He had lights and sirens on when he slammed into another driver near N.W. 10th St. and May Ave., killing that man.
The district attorney has reviewed all the evidence in the case and feels it warrants a misdemeanor charge of negligent homicide.
The charge states Samples "willfully drove a motor vehicle in reckless disregard of the safety of others ... at a speed of approximately 83 miles per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone."
The probable cause affidavit states "AR approached slowed traffic at a high rate of speed and elected to proceed left of the double yellow lines to pass east bound traffic by traveling into the west bound traffic lanes. While performing this action, VI made a legal left hand turn towards a private drive into the path of the EMSA unit."
Fidel Mesa Solis died as a result of that collision.
Samples has been arrested before.
Back in 2002, he plead guilty to driving under the influence, speeding, changing lanes unsafely and transporting an open container.
Samples' attorney, Ed Blau, released this statement:
"Mr. Samples acted with due care and full regard toward the motorists of Oklahoma City. Mr. Samples followed all EMSA procedures and protocols in responding to an emergency; as such, he is innocent of the charge against him. However, as a dedicated EMSA employee and 33-year Oklahoma City resident, Mr. Samples is devastated by the tragedy that occurred at 10th and May. His thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Solis' family and friends."
He had lights and sirens on when he slammed into another driver near N.W. 10th St. and May Ave., killing that man.
The district attorney has reviewed all the evidence in the case and feels it warrants a misdemeanor charge of negligent homicide.
The charge states Samples "willfully drove a motor vehicle in reckless disregard of the safety of others ... at a speed of approximately 83 miles per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone."
The probable cause affidavit states "AR approached slowed traffic at a high rate of speed and elected to proceed left of the double yellow lines to pass east bound traffic by traveling into the west bound traffic lanes. While performing this action, VI made a legal left hand turn towards a private drive into the path of the EMSA unit."
Fidel Mesa Solis died as a result of that collision.
Samples has been arrested before.
Back in 2002, he plead guilty to driving under the influence, speeding, changing lanes unsafely and transporting an open container.
Samples' attorney, Ed Blau, released this statement:
"Mr. Samples acted with due care and full regard toward the motorists of Oklahoma City. Mr. Samples followed all EMSA procedures and protocols in responding to an emergency; as such, he is innocent of the charge against him. However, as a dedicated EMSA employee and 33-year Oklahoma City resident, Mr. Samples is devastated by the tragedy that occurred at 10th and May. His thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Solis' family and friends."
