Okla. trooper gets 5-day unpaid suspension for videotaped scuffle with ambulance driver
By APThursday, July 23, 2009
Okla. trooper suspended for fight with paramedic
STROUD, Okla. — An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper caught on video cussing and fighting with the driver of an ambulance carrying a patient has been suspended for five days.
A patrol spokesman said Trooper Daniel Martin was put on unpaid suspension Wednesday and must undergo an anger assessment.
A cell phone video of the May 24 scuffle that was widely distributed over the Internet shows Martin grabbing the paramedic, Maurice White Jr., in a choke hold around the neck.
Martin’s dashboard-mounted camera showed him stopping the ambulance, cussing and accusing White of failing to yield. He also threatened to arrest him.
White’s attorney said Wednesday that White was disappointed by the suspension. Martin’s attorney, Gary James, did not return a message seeking comment.
