Paden - No charges will be filed following a scuffle between an Oklahoma trooper and an EMT.

The pair went head to head after the ambulance was stopped for "failure to yield" on May 24. The ambulance was taking a patient to the hospital at the time. And a family member recorded the fight on his cell phone.  But so far, the trooper's dash-cam video has not been released. 

The EMT's attorney says it was a case of road rage by the trooper. But the trooper says the paramedic made an obscene gesture at him and assaulted him first.

However, after interviewing witnesses, the reports, and the videos, the Okfuskee County District Attorney's Office will not charge the EMT or the trooper, and the case will be dropped.

DA Max Cook says, "After careful consideration off all fact and circumstance, it does not appear it would be appropriate to file charges against (Maurice) White or any other person involved. Although, I do not condone their actions, I do not believe that filing charges at this time would serve the best interests of the public or interests of justice. It has been my experience that emergency service providers generally work well together, and it was disappointing to see a situation where that clearly did not happen."

He went on to say that it is my hope that emergency responders, especially the Oklahoma Highway patrol, will use this incident to open dialogue about ways to forge a good relationship with their partner agencies."

Richard O'Carroll, White's attorney, confirmed Maurice is aware of the decision and is disappointed.

Cook has closed further review of this matter, but is requesting the trooper's dash-cam video in response to the public's interest.

 

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