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Special Needs Teen Dies After Jumping from Ambulance Onto Interstate

Ryan Emory

Greenville County Deputy Coroner Mike Ellis said that the teen was restrained on a gurney in the back of an ambulance when he loosened his restraints, got past the EMT with him, opened the door and jumped out the moving vehicle.

Emory landed in the road, tumbled several times and went into cardiac arrest, Ellis said.

The incident happened at about 12:45 p.m. on I-85 northbound between Laurens Road and Interstate 385, according to Ellis

The ambulance stopped, and emergency workers tried to treat Emory before taking him back to Greenville Memorial Hospital.

He was pronounced dead minutes later at 1:16 p.m.

An autopsy performed Monday revealed the preliminary cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.

The incident is still under investigation by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

The ambulance was operated by Mobile Care Unit and owned by Greenville Hospital System.

Hospital Spokesperson Sandy Dees declined an on camera interview and sent News 4 this statement.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. The incident is still under investigation by the Highway Patrol, and we are cooperating fully. Because this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further at this time.”

The family vows to keep fighting so that Emory’s death is not in vain.

“Many people have wanted to help, tried to help, but run into red tape. DDSN said help was on the way,” said Hodge.