Skip to Content

Autopsy: Ambulance driver who crashed had cocaine in system

An autopsy report shows that an ambulance driver had cocaine in his bloodstream when he crashed into a suburban Chicago building, killing himself, a co-worker and a patient.

Television station WLS reports that the Cook County medical examiner’s office found 51-year-old emergency medical technician James Wesley also had significant cardiac disease at the time of the March 31 crash in Bellwood. The autopsy couldn’t determine whether a heart attack or cocaine intoxication led to the crash.

Wesley died instantly in the crash, and 50-year-old emergency medical technician Prentis Williams and 48-year-old dialysis patient Larry Marshall Jr. were also killed.

County officials say the ambulance was unlicensed. A lawyer for the now-defunct ambulance company says Wesley took the vehicle without permission and apparently freelanced scheduled patient transports.

Article Topic Follows: News

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

KVIA ABC-7

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KVIA ABC 7 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content