New Jersey Woman Killed by Ambulance

An ambulance accidentally struck and killed a woman in the parking lot of a Cherry Hill, New Jersey medical center Monday.

The driver apparently did not see the 3-foot-9 victim, Darlene Watson, age 56. Cherry Hill detectives were investigating the accident, according to Lt. Bill Kushina. He did not identify the driver, who works for Metropolitan Medical Transportation.

According to the police report, on Monday, August 14, 2006 the Cherry Hill Police Department was called to 1020 North Kings Highway at 1:30 p.m. for a reported Auto/Pedestrian MVA. Upon arrival, police determined that pedestrian Darlene Watson had been struck by a southbound private medical transport ambulance while she was crossing the drive aisle directly in front of the 1020 building.

The victim was transported by a Cherry Hill Fire Department EMS unit to Cooper Trauma where she succumbed to her injuries at 3 p.m. The private ambulance is owned by Metropolitan Medical Transport of N. Ormond Avenue, Cherry Hill NJ. Preliminary investigation lists the victim's height as a contributing factor.

The ambulance company declined to comment on the incident. The person answering calls said due to the ongoing investigation, they would not be giving any statements at this time.

Watson's sister, Naomi Coccoli was with her at the time of the accident. She told the Philadelphia Inquirer, "I always looked out for her because she was so little and because cars couldn't see her." She thought Watson was just a few steps behind her when she heard the ambulance driver scream, "Oh, my God! Oh, my God!"

"There was my sister, face-down in a pool of blood," Coccoli told the Inquirer. "I just crumbled to the ground."

Watson was pronounced dead at 3 p.m at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, police said.