ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A grandfather died and his grandson was seriously injured after both were pinned under an ambulance on Sunday, according to authorities and the victims’ family.
At around 10 p.m. on Atlanta Highway in Oconee County, John Carter Martin stopped on the side of the road to help his grandson, 17-year-old Connor Lee Schoon, whose car had broken down. But a Northeast Georgia Medical Center ambulance hit the stranded car, trapping both of them under the rescue vehicle, state troopers said.
Martin died at the scene, while Schoon was rushed to the hospital, according to Georgia State Patrol.
Martin’s daughter and Schoon’s mother, Jennifer Martinez, said her son insists both of them had their hazard lights on and were pulled over far enough for traffic to pass.
Schoon was airlifted from Piedmont Athens Regional to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Arthur M. Blank Hospital, where he underwent an hours-long surgery for a broken clavicle, a cut spleen and multiple lacerations. Martinez said he is in stable condition.
“He kept asking me, his dad and step-dad, where was Papa?” Martinez told Atlanta News First. “We told him the harsh truth today. He remembers seeing Papa getting hit as well. Please have the community pray for all of us at this time.”
No charges have been announced in the case so far.
This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.