Conn. Paramedic Killed in 3-Car Crash on Way to Work

April 01--WEST HARTFORD -- When paramedics and emergency medical technicians from American Medical Response went to a head-on crash Sunday afternoon on New Britain Avenue, they were shocked to find one of their own fatally injured in one of the three cars involved.

The first paramedic to arrive determined that nothing could be done to save Donavan Alden, a 32-year-old AMR employee who just recently completed 2,000 hours of training to become a paramedic.

The second paramedic to arrive went immediately to work on Karen Torres, 33, of New Britain, whose westbound car police say crossed the centerline of New Britain Avenue and struck Alden's eastbound car head-on.

Torres was badly hurt and taken to Hartford Hospital for treatment. A third vehicle heading east on New Britain Avenue, ran into the back of Alden's car. That driver, Zeeshan Rashhid, 33, of Newington, was also hurt and taken to Hartford Hospital.

Chuck Babson, general manager of AMR, said the paramedics and EMTs who responded to Sunday's crash were devastated when they realized they could do nothing for their friend and colleague, but they immediately went to work caring for the others hurt in the crash.

"The job doesn't stop," he said.

The police officers and firefighters who responded did what they could to comfort the AMR workers, Babson said.

Alden was wearing his AMR uniform at the time of the crash.

"It's difficult enough, but when it's one of your own it's even more difficult," Babson said. "You could see the look on everyone's face."

Police remained on the scene until early Monday collecting evidence and said their investigation is continuing.

Alden, who lived in Avon, worked for AMR for nearly a decade and had devoted his life to serving others, colleagues said. Just two weeks ago, he began working as a paramedic for AMR after completing the training.

"Donovan was a valued employee of AMR for the last eight years," said Chris Chaplin, operations manager for AMR's Hartford region. "He came to work every day with a motivation to help others."

AMR's office is close to where the crash occurred. Counselors were brought in to assist the paramedics and EMTs who responded to the crash and anyone else who needed it, AMR officials said.

"It's a stressful time at AMR and within the [emergency medical service] community," Chaplin said. "As always, our employees continue to provide elite patient care to the community and hold their heads high at this very challenging time."

The company also sent staff to spend time with Alden's mother and brother.

AMR paramedics and EMTs assist 10 to 12 patients on a typical day, so Alden had contact with many people, Chaplin said. Alden worked the overnight shift.

"There's no doubt that on a weekly basis he was making a difference in peoples' lives," Chaplin said.

"There are a lot of good people who work there," Babson added. "They're going through some tough times. We're just grateful to have each other and are going to try to get through the rest of this week."

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