A pedestrian struck by a Johnston County EMS ambulance in April has died.
Around 8:30am on April 23rd, Smithfield Police said 65 year-old Mickey Joe Crocker of Smithfield was walking across the entrance driveway at PNC Bank at 410 E. Market Street in Smithfield. Crocker was struck by an ambulance that was leaving the parking lot area and attempting to make a right turn onto E. Market Street.
According to an accident report, the driver of the ambulance, Hannah Jeanette Sylvester of Raleigh an employee of Johnston County EMS, told police she did not see the pedestrian because he was walking so close to the front of the emergency vehicle. A witness said Crocker was walking past the driveway and saw the EMS ambulance waiting for traffic. The ambulance then drove forward and struck Crocker. The witness said the ambulance had to reverse due to running over Crocker’s legs.
The ambulance was not on a call at the time of the accident. Two other EMS workers were in the vehicle.
A second ambulance responded to the scene and transported Crocker to Wake Medical Center in Raleigh for treatment.
WTSB News has learned that Crocker passed away on June 3rd at Moses H. Cone Hospital in Greensboro. According to his death certificate, Crocker died from “complications from multiple blunt force injuries” after being “struck by a motor vehicle.” According to his obituary, Crocker was a US Navy veteran.
Smithfield Police Captain R. Sheppard said, “This accident remains under investigation. The Smithfield Police Department and the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office are working together to determine the correct course of action going forward with this accident investigation.”
Johnston County Emergency Services is also conducting an internal investigation into the fatal accident.
Johnston County officials confirmed this week that Hannah Sylvester is still an active EMT Intermediate with Johnston County EMS. File photo
