01/28/2008 7:59 AM ET; Updated 9:14 PM ET
HARBESON, Del.- Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal crash that involved an ambulance and an SUV vehicle near Harbeson.
Police say the crash was reported at around 6:15 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Beaver Dam and Indian Mission roads. According to police one fatality, in the SUV, occurred.
Upon arrival at the scene, investigators learned a Millsboro ambulance, operated by Frank E. Deford Jr., 32, of Seaford, Del. was westbound on Beaver Dam Road, stopped at the intersection of Indian Mission Road, waiting to turn left.
Police say that meantime, a Jeep Cherokee, operated by Michael A. Martin, 44, of Georgetown, Del. was southbound on Indian Mission Road approaching the intersection of Beaver Dam Road. According to police, for unknown reason the Cherokee failed to negotiate a curve and exited the east edge of roadway and struck the right side of the stopped ambulance.
Police say Deford was wearing a seatbelt and sustained a head injury in the crash. He was flown to Christiana Hospital and is listed in stable condition. Martin sustained massive head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing his seatbelt, according to police.
The ambulance was occupied by an attendant, Mercedes T. Berry, 47 of Ellendale, Del. Police say Berry was seated in the right front seat and wearing a seatbelt. She sustained a minor back injury and was treated and released from Beebe Medical Center.
A Sussex County paramedic, John R. Schmitt, 41, of Lewes, Del. occupied the rear bench seat in the ambulance and was ejected. Police say it is unknown if Schmitt was wearing a seatbelt. Schmitt sustained multiple traumatic injuries. He was flown to Christiana Hospital and is currently in serious but stable condition.
Indian Mission Road and Beaver Dam Road were closed for approximately six hours while investigators examined the scene. The investigation is ongoing. Alcohol is believed not to be a factor in the crash.
When the crash happened on Monday morning, 12-year EMT veteran Deford jumped out of the ambulance, assessed the scene, and called in the crash himself. Minutes later, he was flown to Christiana hospital with serious injuries.
Emergency responders call his actions, and those of fellow EMT Mercedes Berry, instinct.
"It's almost ingrained in your head from the time you enter the fire service or the EMS service how you're going to respond to situations," said Brian Hubbs of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company. "No matter who's involved."
The crash took on a different significance to some members of the emergency responder "family," as many people called it on Monday.
"It's personal, when you hear that one of your own is involved and has been injured," said Sussex County EMS Director Glenn Luedtke.
Sussex EMS has a stress management team to help emergency responders deal with incidents that hit home. On Monday, EMS administrators traveled to Christiana Hospital to support the families of the injured responders.
Representatives of the Millsboro Fire Company say they've received an outpouring of support from the community. The agency has just two ambulances left to work with, but neighboring fire companies and even ambulance manufacturers have offered to lend one.
With two of its six full-time EMT personnel involved in the crash, the fire department has brought in on-call workers to help over the next few days.
