By Rose Evans
The Idaho Statesman
ADA COUNTY, Idaho — A Middleton resident is seeking $288,000 in damages from Ada County and the Eagle Fire District after he struck a county ambulance he alleges was driven negligently.
Ian Vickers was turning onto Eagle Road with his nearly 2-year-old daughter on June 2 when an Eagle firefighter driving an ambulance advanced into the intersection, according to a tort claim filed by Vickers’ attorney with Ada County. Tort claims often indicate someone’s intention to sue a state or local government entity, and they’re required by Idaho law before such a lawsuit is filed.
Marissa Madecky, the Eagle firefighter driving the ambulance, pleaded guilty to failing to operate an emergency vehicle with due care, according to court records indicating Madecky was charged with a misdemeanor for the accident.
In the tort claim filed on Oct. 23, Vickers’ attorney, Jane Gordon, also alleges that Madecky was driving without her driver’s license.
Tyler Lewis, chief of the Eagle Fire District, told the Idaho Statesman that sometimes in their line of duty, Eagle firefighters will aid the Ada County Paramedics by driving an ambulance while paramedics work with a patient in the back. Lewis said Madecky is not employed by the county but by the fire district.
“Ada County does have their own employees, and then Eagle Fire has their own employees, but then we just help each other out when we need to on those transports occasionally,” Lewis said.
The tort claim was addressed to both the county and the fire district, but Lewis said he has not yet received any claim seeking damages against the fire district.
“If I lent my car to somebody and they wrecked it, that would be my insurance that would cover the vehicle, I guess, right?” Lewis said.
Ryan Larrondo, a public information officer for Ada County Paramedics, declined the Statesman’s request to comment.
The claim states that Vickers’ vehicle was totaled and that he suffered injuries and emotional suffering. Vickers is seeking compensation for property damage to his vehicle and medical treatment, which the claim states has totaled $30,000 so far. The claim also mentions compensation for future pain and suffering and “permanent injury.” The total request comes to $288,000.
Jane Gordon Law did not immediately respond to the Statesman’s request for comment.
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