John Carter Martin, Monroe, Georgia grandfather killed and grandson, Connor Schoon seriously injured after getting being pinned by ambulance which struck them after grandad coming to grandson’s aid after teen’s vehicle breaking down along Atlanta Highway in Oconee County. Ambulance driver to now face charges….
A grandfather who had come to the assistance of his grandson after the teen’s car breaking down on the side of a Georgia highway was killed along with this grandson seriously injured after they were both pinned by an ambulance which struck them traveling around a bend.
The incident happened Sunday night, circa 10 p.m. on Atlanta Highway in Oconee County, when John Carter Martin stopped on the side of the road to help his grandson, 17-year-old Connor Lee Schoon, whose car had broken down.
At the time Martin of Monroe, Georgia, had positioned his truck in front of his grandson’s Camry vehicle in the westbound lane as they attempted to fix the teen’s automobile.
How a grandfather’s goodwill towards grandson led to tragedy
That’s when a westbound ambulance from Northeast Georgia Medical Center struck the disabled car.
The impact forced all three vehicles onto the shoulder and left both Martin and his grandson pinned underneath the ambulance.
Martin died at the scene while Schoon — was rushed to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center with serious injuries before later being transferred to Arthur M. Blank Children’s Hospital.
Family members say Schoon, a junior at Winder-Barrow High School, had pulled over safely with his hazard lights on before the crash. His mother, Jennifer Martinez, said her son underwent a three-hour surgery to control internal bleeding and is now in stable condition. He also suffered a broken clavicle and multiple lacerations.
Both stationary cars had hazard lights on according to family as charges pending
Martinez speaking to press, said her son insists both the teen and grandfather had their hazard lights on and were pulled over far enough for traffic to pass.
Martinez described her father as a selfless man who died while trying to help others.
‘He was a great man in every way,’ she said, adding that when her son regained consciousness, he repeatedly asked, ‘Where is papa?’
‘We told him the harsh truth today. He remembers seeing Papa getting hit as well. Please have the community pray for all of us at this time.’
Authorities say the crash remains under investigation. To date no charges have been announced in the case but are believed to be pending against the ambulance driver. It remained unclear what charges would be pressed.
