Akron woman indicted on felony charges after allegedly assaulting paramedic
A lawsuit was filed for two separate crimes for allegedly punching a woman Akron The Akron Firefighters Association said Wednesday that the child died in the care of a paramedic after a dispute over a medical transport decision.
Kevelyn Evans, 38, was indicted by a Summit County grand jury on aggravated assault and felony drug possession charges stemming from a March 28 incident at a high-end apartment complex.
According to Kevin Gostkowski, president of Akron Firefighters Association Local 330, two paramedics responded to the complex for a medical call just after midnight. After evaluating the patient, they determined that his condition was “code one”; This means his medical condition does not require transportation to the hospital according to the department’s coding system.
While the medical teams arrived at the scene, the patient’s daughter and grandchild also came to the scene and asked for the patient to be hospitalized. Family members became increasingly upset as paramedics explained the coding system, Gostkowski said.
The paramedics then left the apartment, unaware that family members had followed them outside.
“Someone opened the driver’s side door, reached in, and struck one of our paramedics in the eye with a closed fist, causing bruising to the eye and some swelling,” Gostkowski said. “Then he was able to take off his seat belt and get out and kind of subdue him. Then the other member of the family started attacking him from behind.”
Paramedics subdued Evans before Akron police arrived and took him into custody. Both paramedics were treated at a local hospital and returned to complete their overnight shifts.
Gostkowski said the incident was particularly concerning given the circumstances.
“Sometimes human emotions come into play,” he said. “But it’s very scary, especially at 12:30 at night when you least expect it. You know, you’re not standing in front of someone and they’re having a verbal confrontation with you beforehand; kind of being pushed aside and caught off guard. It’s very disturbing.”
Gostkowski, who worked as an Akron paramedic for 14 years before becoming union president, said he hopes the city will implement self-defense training to better prepare paramedics for such situations.
“I don’t want violence to be the solution for anyone, whether it’s us, the firefighters, the police department,” Gostkowski said. “Violence should never be a solution to solving problems.”
Evans’ case is being heard in Summit County Common Pleas Court. Both paramedics have since recovered from their injuries.
Akron Fire Chief Leon Henderson issued a statement Tuesday accepting the indictment and condemning the attack.
“Assaulting a firefighter or paramedic is unlawful and will not be tolerated,” Henderson said. he said. “Every day, our firefighters and paramedics respond to emergencies with one goal in mind: to help people, solve problems and provide care during what is often one of the worst days of a person’s life.”
Henderson also thanked law enforcement for their response to the incident.
“I want to thank the Akron Police Department and the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office for their commitment to investigating this incident and pursuing charges,” Henderson said. “Their work is critical to holding individuals accountable and protecting public officials who risk their safety every day to help others.”
Henderson added that attacks on emergency personnel have consequences beyond the individuals involved.
“When our personnel are attacked, it threatens not only their safety, but also the safety of the entire emergency response system that our community depends on,” he said.
You can read Henderson’s full statement below.
