Dash Cam- Your Questions Answered

Updated: 6/16/2009 11:28 am

Published: 6/14/2009 8:25 pm

Tulsa, OK- We have a closer look at the dash cam video released Friday and a closer look at what really led up to the confrontation between an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper and a Creek Nation paramedic.

The dash cam video has been viewed more than 20,000 times on our website.

After pressure from state lawmakers and the media, including Fox 23, the Department of Public Safety agreed to release 8 minutes of dash cam footage of the May 24th incident.

In one clip, Trooper Daniel Martin states to the driver of the ambulance that he's running "hot" to his call. But, the dash cam video shows Martin stays there less than 30 seconds and then turns around to pull over the ambulance.

The trooper also claims that the ambulance driver failed to yield as he came up behind them.

Paramedic Maurice White told Fox News his driver didn't have enough reaction time from the moment he saw Martin running up behind the ambulance in his cruiser.

"Being a good driver he cannot aggressively pull the vehicle over because we are transporting a patient and the shoulder is a soft shoulder," said Maurice White.

Trooper Martin said in a written statement: "I had not observed the ambulance operating emergency lights or sirens and I was not immediately informed that there was a patient on board or that a dire emergency even existed."

Dash cam video tells a different story.

It clearly shows White try to inform the trooper there's a patient needing transport to the hospital.

As for the ambulance not using lights and sirens even though a patient is inside- EMSA says it's up to the paramedic to make that call.

White says he made the right decision in this case not using them for the benefit of his patient.

"She had had an episode, a fainting episode, accompanied by chest pain and the last thing that person needs is excitement at that time," said White.

Trooper Martin said in a statement he thinks White's actions interfered with the traffic stop.

His attorney will be joining him at a press conference scheduled for Monday.

OHP has concluded the investigation and now the department will conclude whether or not Martin did anything wrong.

Story Comments

Print Story

23 Comment(s)

Comments: Show | Hide

Here are the most recent story comments.View All

The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of KOKI FOX23 - Tulsa

Rescue911g - 7/5/2009 5:11 PM

0 Votes

Report User

Rescue911g As far as I am concerned the State trooper should be fired for endangering the life & welfare of the patient on board the ambulance. We all serve and protect the public from all dangers, All EMS providers work very closely with the police in allot of dangerous situations. The actions of this state trooper should not be tolerated. The only time the police should pull over an ambulance is if one is reported stolen. If this was a Fire truck the trooper would of been fired that day!

firekiller92 - 6/21/2009 3:29 AM

0 Votes

Report User

i wonder if mr. martin can answer some questions for me without his attorney whispering in his ear?1 how fast are you allowed to drive to an emergencyfor a call when your only on scene for 15 seconds.2do youknow the protocol for running code or not to run code when driving an ambulance?why did you scream and yell profanities at the ems guys as soon as you exited your car?3would you do the same thing to firefighters going to a fire?4where do they train ohp to choke paramedics?do you think you deserve to to keep your job after this episode and why?5if someone is being transported by ems to the hospital do you think there might be some type of emergency?

Boskodude - 6/17/2009 7:17 PM

0 Votes

Report User

I can't believe all the different interpretations given so far in regards to that OHP Officer and The Paramedic EMSA driver etc etc. Right off the bat, that officer got out and virtually "Went Off" on the black man who had just done what he was told...get out of the vehicle. Verbally blasting the black man with uncontrolled anger and hatred...! That Shield or "Star" the Trouper wears on his chest...represents : "Protect and Serve"...so ummm...think about it....is this the way to treat an EMSA Ambulance on route to a Hospital...?? I think not.

Samorya - 6/16/2009 6:35 PM

0 Votes

Report User

The day that OHP pulled over the EMT, the OHP was clearly out of control and was endangering the public by pulling over a ambulance in route to the hospital. The dash cam clearly shows the EMT pulling over right after clearing the car parked on the shoulder so that they can do so safely. OHP was not in rout to a emergency, and did not even stay long enough to allow the EMT to reach the hospital. EMT was still in route when OHP finished his “emergency” and came back after them. Some emergency. He did not radio the ambulance and ask if they had a emergency. He did not radio the ambulance company and report them. What he did was decide to stop a ambulance in route to the hospital just because he “said” that he got flipped off. So, if I get flipped off, I can throw a hissy fit and start dragging ambulances to the curb? No, clearly not. So what made him think that he can? Bad judgment. Do we want people that clearly exhibit bad judgment and lack of emotional control packing guns? No, clearly not. Now, once he calmed down he should have realized that he was wrong. Then he should have apologized and took his lumps. But no, he deigned that he was acting improperly. That indicates that we should expect more of the same from him. Once his supervisor seen the videos, he should have disciplined the trooper. But no, he instigated a cover up to hide criminal activities of the trooper. Yes, it is a crime to interfere with EMT in the act of his duties. It is in fact life threatening. He did not know the status of the person in the back of the ambulance. To him, it did not matter. This shows that we not only should expect more of the same, but that OHP approved of his actions. Once the upper brass of OHP seen what was going on, they should have stepped in. But no, they also joined the cover up, showing that this it what we should expect from all OHP. The first couple of days of this called for the trooper being disciplined. The day after t

OKACO - 6/16/2009 6:19 PM

0 Votes

Report User

Hey, MERRICAT, I'm an Animal Control Officer and I resent your statement. We don't want the likes of Martin in our ranks either. manners, you're obviously a trooper with the same mentality, or a friend of Martin's. You do NOT have to obey an unlawful order from a law enforcement officer! Mamajo and joelw, you're both obviously bright and knowledgeable. Thanks for setting people straight. Unfortunately, there will still be more posts defending the Storm Trooper...

sharp1980 - 6/16/2009 12:50 PM

1 Vote

Report User

When I was eight years old, I had to be tranported to the hospital. They did not use the lights and sirens for the first half of the trip due to the sounds frightening me. When traffice became thick, the ambulance had no option but to turn the sirens and lights on. It is a known fact that ambulance drivers often transport patients without lights and sirens. When I saw this video, I was outraged. I could not believe what I was watching. It appears that Trooper Martin was seriously on a power trip. As I watched it, I just kept thinking "could this man be a racist". Martin's behavior was completely unjustified.

joelw - 6/16/2009 12:34 AM

1 Vote

Report User

P.S. I will and have argued when an unprofessional police officer has addressed me with a total lack of respect and courtesy. Police work for ME on my tax dollars! If I am not suspected of breaking any serious laws I demand respect. If an officer is on a power trip over something trivial such as a minor traffic violation, I will NOT just do it. I pay taxes and risk my life for fellow citizens, I deserve and demand better then the treatment trooper Martin showed either EMT. Take a look at how the dash cam and cell phone video of this incident is playing in the court of public opinion. Over 10,000,000 views between them with almost entirely negative public comment about trooper Martins actions, and yes, more then a few threats of violence or death. It is a pity because most police are professional and deserving of respect. Trooper Martin's behavior has set good will towards law enforcement back years and will probably cost lives. Trooper needs to have his but kicked directly to the unemployment line. His benefits need to be canceled. The police board of Oklahoma needs to jerk his credentials so he can NEVER be a police officer again. Trooper Martin is going to cost the state money in law suits that he will no doubt loose. When the public you are charged with protecting hates you, you have failed utterly.

joelw - 6/16/2009 12:31 AM

1 Vote

Report User

joelw - 6/16/2009 12:17 AM

1 Vote

Report User

Dear manners I used to drive a fire truck as a volly. People fail to yield all the time. The ambulance in question began pulling over 4 seconds after it passed the car on the side of the road. The ambulance could not yield before passing the car or it would have rear ended it. A 4 second delay does not constitute "failure to yield anywhere in the united states. I would like to see the radio call log of where trooper Martin was heading in such a hurry anyway. Seems to me he was on the scene for less then 30 seconds. Also notice Trooper Martin did not even leave his vehicle at the scene. If you watch the video carefully it seems that he took on a passenger at the gas station, and we now know that the passenger was his wife. Under what regulations was trooper Martin allowed to give his wife a ride in his police car? I sure couldn't do that in a fire truck! Just because an ambulance is not running code does not mean they are not transporting a critical patient. Lights and siren can worsen any condition affected by heart rate and blood pressure. When you pick up someone with chest pain who is not showing signs of immanent death running code 1 instead of code 3 is usually the way to go. Once the illegal traffic stop began, Trooper Martin exited the vehicle in a state of rage and was condescending, loud and rude. There are entire books written about how to solicit voluntary compliance and control a scene. Trooper Martin failed in every way that is possible. Are you going to argue that the second Trooper on the scene is a bad cop since he obviously told Trooper Martin to take a chill pill and let the paramedics proceed with their transport? Paramedic White has stated that he exited the back of the ambulance quickly because he believed that the civilian in Trooper Martins car may have been in medical distress and I will give him the benefit of doubt considering his demeanor. Trooper Martin is still hiding behind his attorney, that speaks volumes

mama jo - 6/15/2009 9:03 PM

1 Vote

Report User

sorry for double messages i thought the 1st one didnt work because i didnt have an account...hope nobody hunts me down and grabs me by throat and screams like a wild person

Click Here to Add Your Comments View All

FOX23 Weather Center

90°

Feels Like: 90°

High: 95° | Low: 69°
Clear