Let me break down this incredible case that’s unfolding in Oregon. I’ve seen some surprising cases, but this one stands out.
Here’s what happened: On October 27, 2022, William Hoesch, a 71-year-old cyclist, was riding westbound on West C Street in Rainier, Oregon. According to police reports, he was traveling 5-10 mph down a hill, with an ambulance from Columbia River Fire & Rescue moving slowly ahead of him.
The details here are crucial: Hoesch, seeing the slow-moving ambulance, made what most cyclists would consider a reasonable decision—he began passing on the right side, assuming the ambulance was continuing straight. That’s when things went wrong and was struck by the ambulance. According to the lawsuit filed on October 24, 2023, the ambulance made a sudden right turn without warning, leaving Hoesch no time to react.
The collision report is particularly interesting. The ambulance driver stated they were moving at just 2-3 mph during the turn and believed their turn signal was on. After the incident, the driver even voluntarily took a breath test at the police department, which showed a 0.00% blood alcohol content – demonstrating clear concern for transparency.
The impact destroyed Hoesch’s bicycle and left him with significant injuries – facial fractures, damage to his left hand and hip, and diaphragm injuries. He was bleeding and needed immediate medical attention. Here’s where the story takes an almost unbelievable turn: the same ambulance crew that hit him provided medical assistance and transported him to the nearest hospital – then sent him a bill for $1,862 for the ride.
The ongoing effects are severe: Hoesch is experiencing chronic pain, stiffness, reduced grip strength, and limited range of motion. His medical bills have already reached $47,000, with another $50,000 in anticipated future medical expenses. That’s nearly $100,000 in medical costs alone.
His lawsuit seeks $997,000 in total damages – a number that reflects not just the medical expenses, but the significant impact on his quality of life and daily activities. As someone who regularly handles these cases, I can tell you this figure aligns with the severity of the injuries and ongoing impairments.
Columbia River Fire & Rescue has acknowledged the incident but has remained cautious in its response. It has referred the matter to its legal department and insurance carrier. This is standard procedure, but it’s worth noting that it hasn’t denied the basic facts of the case.
What makes this case particularly compelling from a legal standpoint is the combination of clear liability issues – the turn in front of a cyclist – and the almost unprecedented decision to bill the victim for the ambulance ride that became necessary only because of their actions.
This isn’t just about compensation – it’s about accountability and ensuring our emergency services, while vital to our community, maintain proper safety protocols even during routine operations. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how emergency services interact with vulnerable road users like cyclists.
What are your thoughts on this situation? I’m particularly interested in hearing perspectives on the ambulance service’s decision to bill Mr. Hoesch for the transport.
Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.
