On Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, at approximately 6:15 a.m., a Millsboro Fire Company ambulance was involved in a collision with an SUV at the intersection of Beaver Dam and Indian Mission roads in eastern Sussex County.

The ambulance was returning from a medical call to Beebe Medical Center in Lewes when, for an unknown reason, an SUV crashed into the right rear side of the ambulance. The ambulance was occupied by two EMTs, a male and female, from the Millsboro Fire Company and one paramedic, a male, from Sussex County Emergency Medical Services.

Delaware State Police continue to investigate the cause of the crash. One fatality, in the SUV, occurred.

The three medical personnel all suffered injuries that required immediate medical attention. The female EMT, identified by Millsboro Fire Company officials as EMT Mercedes Berry, was transported to Beebe, where she was treated and released for minor injuries. The male EMT and Sussex County Paramedic III John Schmitt were flown to Christiana Hospital near Stanton, Del., with serious injuries.

The male EMT, also identified by Millsboro Fire Company as EMT Frank DeFord, is still being evaluated at Christiana Hospital. Paramedic Schmitt, a 15-year veteran of SCEMS, was admitted to the intensive care unit with possible head injuries, and is still under examination.

Sussex County Emergency Medical Services Director Glenn Luedtke said the incident has touched many within the SCEMS family, as Paramedic Schmitt is a long-serving member of the unit with many friends and colleagues.

"The collective thoughts and prayers of the SCEMS family are with John and the other medical personnel who were injured in this crash," Director Luedtke said. "Our staff, and other public safety providers like them, risk their lives every day to provide quality, compassionate and professional care. Sometimes that risk catches up with you. We're hopeful John can mend quickly, and we here at SCEMS will do whatever we can to support him and his family in this time of need."

Related:

• Delaware Group Offers Support in Times of Crisis