DUI driver – A suspected drunk driver hit an AMR ambulance responding to an emergency in Salinas, injuring the driver and two medical workers, police said.
A suspected drunk driver hit an ambulance speeding to an emergency in Salinas, leaving medical workers injured and raising renewed questions about impaired driving.
Misryoum reports that an AMR ambulance was traveling on East Boronda Road with emergency lights and a siren activated when it was struck head-on by a Chevy Cruze. according to the Salinas Police Department.. Police said the crash happened over the weekend while the ambulance was on its way to respond to a call in Central California.
In Misryoum’s view, the incident highlights a harsh reality: when impairment takes over behind the wheel, even vehicles designed to save lives can become victims.
Police said the driver of the Cruze, Armando Ortiz Mendoza, 26, crossed into oncoming traffic, triggering the collision. Officers reported that Mendoza and two emergency medical professionals inside the ambulance were injured and taken to local hospitals.
A breath test was used as part of the investigation, and police said the results showed Mendoza’s blood alcohol content was far above the legal limit. Officers also said a beer can was found at the scene and that Mendoza was booked into jail on suspicion of felony DUI.
For families and first responders, this kind of crash is more than a traffic incident, because it disrupts the chain of care that communities rely on when seconds matter.
Police emphasized that driving under the influence can have lasting consequences, particularly when responders are involved. They urged people to avoid impairment, plan ahead for safe transportation, and use alternatives such as rideshare or calling for help.
In Misryoum’s final assessment, the message is clear: impaired driving affects everyone on the road, not just the driver, and the stakes can escalate instantly when emergencies are underway.