Accident all too real for local medics

SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - People in Indianapolis spent Wednesday remembering the lives of two EMS medics killed in a weekend crash.    

For first responders in the Wabash Valley, the tragedy is all too real.

"Sad and it hits close to home. It's a brotherhood what we do, it's a family and it's like losing two brothers that day and something that we're not new to but it doesn't make it easier any time that happens," Sullivan County Ambulance Services Paramedic and Instructor Kenny Ming said.

On average, Sullivan County medics go on over 200 calls a month. Half are emergencies. They say every run, they're watching for other drivers' mistakes.

Ming said thankfully he's never been involved in a serious accident. However, his crew has had some close calls.

"You go out and you don't know if you're going to come back or not safe," he said.

Ming's constantly watching for unaware drivers.

"They aren't paying attention to the roadway, paying attention to their cell pones, texting, or chemically impaired because of the alcohol or drugs and they have no concept of what that red light means."

He and his crew are trained to know how to react.

"My partner is just as big a part of that as I am. I watch the front and to the left of me. She watches to the front and right of me."

At intersections with lights and stop signs, he makes eye contact with other drivers in each direction.

"If I'm going too fast and I can't react to a potential accident, what good am I going to do to them if I can't get to them safely?"

Ming said proactive drivers make his job easier.

"Pay attention watch for us, listen for us, we're awful big, we're hard to miss. When you see us, just pull over, let us have the right away, it may be your family member that we're going to. Give us common courtesy."

Under Indiana code, drivers must yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles.