Boardman man accused of assaulting ambulance crew
A Boardman man spent Christmas in jail after police say he assaulted two members of an ambulance crew that were trying to help him.
According to a police report, 37-year-old Dustin James was being transported by Lane Ambulance for a suspected drug overdose when he became conscious as a paramedic was injecting him with the opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan.
The paramedic says James grabbed her hand holding the syringe, then grabbed her other hand, forcing her to the floor of the ambulance, trying to stab her with the contaminated syringe.
The EMT who was driving saw the commotion, pulled the ambulance over along South Avenue and Trailwood, and radioed for police assistance.
The EMT jumped into the back of the ambulance, saying they continued struggling with the patient until police arrived and forced James to open his hand holding the syringe.
James was handcuffed to the gurney and his legs were strapped down while the ambulance went to Mercy Hospital in Boardman for further treatment.
The EMT and Paramedic were treated at the hospital for bruises sustained during the struggle.
James was later booked into jail on charges of assault, felonious assault, resisting arrest, and obstructing official business.
Since Police say James threatened them during the struggle, he is also charged with intimidation.
