Speed, alcohol likely factors in deadly ambulance crash; driver charged with murder

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Speed and alcohol likely contributed to an early Monday crash in Gaston County involving an ambulance that killed a 37-year-old paramedic, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said. The driver accused of causing the crash was arrested and faces a slew of charges, including second-degree murder.

The crash, involving a Cleveland County ambulance, happened just after 8 a.m. on Highway 74 at Shady Grove Road.

A Dodge Challenger, driven by Jared Logan, 35, was speeding and rear-ended the ambulance that was making a U-turn, causing it to crash and flip onto its side, troopers said.

Paramedic Ashley Moore, of Lawndale, was tending to a patient in the back of the ambulance. She was ejected and died, troopers said.

‘Horrible’

“It was a horrible thing,” said neighbor Johnny Burnett.

The sound of the crash woke him up.

“It was like a horrifying bang, and you hear brakes and metal hit, and it just scares you,” Burnett said.

Logan was taken to CaroMont Health with non-life-threatening injuries, troopers said. He was arrested and also charged with DWI, reckless driving, and not wearing a seatbelt. He is in jail under no bond.

Authorities told Channel 9 that the ambulance had a driver and a patient inside at the time of the crash. Both of them are reported to be OK.

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The road was closed down during the investigation.

Community mourns death of paramedic after crash involving ambulance

Community mourns death of paramedic after crash involving ambulance

Cleveland County is mourning the loss of Moore, a paramedic and field-training officer. Summer Blanton lives next to Cleveland County EMS Station No. 4 and knows the 37-year-old’s family. Moore served with the county’s EMS for nine years.

“Can’t believe it,” Blanton said. “It’s always tragic when something like this happens within our first responder community. We’re just praying for the family to comfort them in this time.”

“Our entire Cleveland County team is grieving the loss of one of our own,” said EMS Director Thomas McNeilly.

“Our immediate priority is supporting Ashley’s family and our first responders during this tragedy,” said Cleveland County Manager David B. Cotton.

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