A 19-year-old pedestrian was critically injured early Sunday after being struck by a Hatzolah volunteer EMT driving a smart car in Brooklyn, according to police.
The crash occurred around 1:20 a.m. at the intersection of McDonald Avenue and Avenue P in the Midwood section of Brooklyn. Authorities said the EMT, 39, was responding to an emergency call with lights and sirens activated when the collision took place.
The victim was crossing McDonald Avenue when he was hit. He suffered severe head trauma and was transported by medics to Maimonides Hospital in critical condition.
Police said the EMT remained at the scene following the incident. The vehicle involved was a compact smart car used by the Hatzolah ambulance service.
The NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is leading the ongoing investigation.
Police review conditions surrounding emergency response crash
Officials have not yet confirmed whether the pedestrian was in a marked crosswalk at the time of the impact or if visibility was impaired. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses.
The volunteer EMT has not been charged as of Monday. No additional injuries were reported.
Hatzolah, a private emergency medical service, often deploys smaller vehicles to navigate traffic during emergency responses. The smart car was equipped with emergency lights and sirens, which were active at the time, police said.
The pedestrian remains in critical condition as of the latest update from medical staff at Maimonides.