Ambulance hits cyclist, rushes him to hospital, then bills him $1,800: lawsuit

An Oregon cyclist who was struck by an ambulance that made a right turn into him — fracturing his nose and leaving him with scrapes and other injuries across his body — has filed a $997,000 lawsuit against the ambulance provider after workers scooped him up, drove him to the hospital and then billed him for the service, according to the suit.

Attorney Travis Mayor says the ambulance provider — Columbia River Fire & Rescue — sent his client, 71-year-old William Hoesch, a $1,862 bill for the ambulance ride. That’s among about $47,000 in medical expenses that Hoesch has racked up so far and another $50,000 of medical costs he expects in the future, the suit states.

Columbia River Fire & Rescue declined to comment. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co. didn’t respond to a request for comment. The suit claims that Hoesch’s uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is obligated to cover any damages that Columbia River Fire & Rescue is unable to.

According to the lawsuit, Hoesch was pedaling through the small town of Rainier in Columbia County in October 2022 when he and the ambulance were traveling the same direction on a street that’s a mix of homes and businesses. The ambulance attempted to make a right turn onto another street, crashing into Hoesch and destroying his bicycle, according to the suit, which was filed Oct. 24.

William Hoesch is pictured here after he and an ambulance collided while he was riding his bicycle in October 2022.Submitted photo

The crash happened in front of Columbia River Fire & Rescue’s Rainier station, as the ambulance was returning from a trip.

A Rainier Police Department report included this photo of the crash scene involving William Hoesch and a Columbia River Fire & Rescue ambulance.Rainier Police Department

According to police reports, the driver who struck Hoesch and a passenger in the ambulance estimated the ambulance was going between 2 and 10 mph when they heard a thump, stopped and saw Hoesch injured. Hoesch estimated to police that he was going 5 mph to 10 mph and said he didn’t think the ambulance was going to turn in front of him. His bicycle was crushed under the ambulance wheel.

Hoesch’s lawsuit also seeks $900,000 for pain and suffering, stating he suffered decreased range of motion, reduced grip strength and other issues.

Aimee Green covers breaking news and the justice system. Reach her at 503-294-5119, agreen@oregonian.com or @o_aimee.