A 71-year-old cyclist in Oregon has filed a lawsuit against an ambulance provider after claiming the vehicle struck him, took him to the hospital, and later sent him a hefty bill for the ride.
The Incident in Rainier
The incident reportedly occurred in October 2022 in Rainier, a small town near the Washington-Oregon border. William Hoesch was riding his bike when he was struck by an ambulance belonging to Columbia River Fire & Rescue, according to the lawsuit.
Although the ambulance was traveling at a slow speed—estimated between 2 to 10 mph—the collision left Hoesch with a fractured nose and scrapes across his body.
A Surprising Bill
After the accident, the ambulance transported Hoesch to the hospital. However, he was later shocked to receive a $1,862 bill for the ride. The lawsuit claims that this charge came despite the fact that the ambulance had caused his injuries in the first place.
Seeking Justice
Hoesch is now seeking $997,000 in damages. This amount includes the cost of the ambulance ride, medical expenses, and compensation for pain and suffering.
Columbia River Fire & Rescue has not issued a public statement about the lawsuit, according to reports from The Oregonian.
What are your thoughts? Fair or Unjust?