Filipiak: City Left Holding Bill After Ambulance Crash

The woman who caused in November had insurance -- just not enough to cover the damage done, Mentor City Manager Kenneth Filipiak said.

Consequently, the city will have to pay between $10,000 and $30,000 from its general fund to replace the damaged vehicle.

Filipiak said the driver who caused the crash, , had the minimum insurance required by law.

"Driving with the minimum doesn't even begin to cover the cost that the city is incurring," he said.

The city's insurance has ruled the ambulance a total loss. Consequently, it will pay what the wrecked ambulance -- which was less than a year old -- was worth.

However, the used ambulance is not worth as much as a new one, and it falls to the city to pay the difference, Filipiak said.

Filipiak said this crash could cause the city's insurance premiums to increase.

"There's a cost to driving with inadequate insurace; and, in this case, it is costing the public," Filipiak said.

The crash is costing the city in another way, as well. Two firefighters were hurt during the crash. One was seriously injured and has not been able to return to work yet, Filipiak said.

The crash happened Nov. 7. An ambulance was responding to a paramedic call at the time. It was driving southward on the bridge when a green Pontiac Bonneville -- driven by Cushman -- crossed the median and struck it, Mentor Police Lt. Tom Powers said at the time of the crash.

The Bonneville also struck a Pontiac Grand Prix while passing it.

Next, the ambulance collided with a red truck and the truck was knocked onto the sidewalk.

Four people were hospitalized, including Cushman and two Mentor firefighters.

Later, Cushman pleaded no contest to failing to yield, not using a turn signal and not maintaining an assured clear distance, according to court records. The judge subsequently found her guilty.

Her sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 30.