Speeding, Alcohol Blamed In Fatal Ambulance Crash

POSTED: 12:43 pm EST November 5, 2007
UPDATED: 5:54 pm EST November 5, 2007

MARSHALL TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Speeding and alcohol are being blamed for a crash between an ambulance and car along Route 19 at Brushcreek Road in Marshall Township on Sept. 23, killing two people and injuring three others.

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The driver of the ambulance, Shanea Leigh Climo, 22, of Evans City, was charged on Monday with two counts of homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence and several traffic offenses.

Police said Douglas Stitt, 38, of Mercer, and Phillip Bacon, 31, of Sharpsville, were driving a car at about 2:30 that morning when their vehicle and the ambulance collided.

The medical examiner said both Stitt and Bacon died of head injuries.

Police said Climo was driving 60 mph in a 40 mph zone while transporting a 90-year-old patient when the crash happened.

According to prosecutors, she approached a standing red light with lights flashing. The sirens were not turned on. Prosecutors said the ambulance struck the car, killing Stitt and Bacon.

"It doesn't appear that they had any chance whatsoever," said Northern Regional Police Chief Robert Amann. "I don't believe they saw the ambulance at all."

Prosecutors said there was no reason for Climo to be speeding. The patient was under a "do not resuscitate order." Prosecutors also said Climo's blood-alcohol content was as high as 0.092 percent, which is above Pennsylvania's legal limit of 0.08 percent.

At this point, investigators have not been able to determine where Climo was before her shift began, and they said the people she was working with that night were surprised to find out she was legally drunk.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala said images from the ambulance's onboard camera, which captured 10 seconds inside and outside the ambulance before the crash, will be vital as prosecutors make their case.

"She was incapable of operating a vehicle safely," Zappala said.

Climo was arraigned Monday and released on her own recognizance. She is facing a mandatory three to six years in prison for each count of homicide. Those sentences would have to be served consecutively, meaning she is facing a minimum of six years in jail.

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