Gina Ayers: EMT, 57, on emergency duty, killed when her ambulance collides with Mustang on Georgia highway
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Georgia State Patrol (GSP) stated that an EMT has died in a collision in Forsyth County on the morning of November 17. Gina Ayres of Cumming, fomer EMT who was 57 years old, was identified by Central EMS as the victim of the crash. Ayres was reportedly operating the ambulance on Canton Highway 20 when emergency equipment including lights and siren was turned on at roughly around 6.51 am. According to police, the ambulance was trying to pass other vehicles while driving in the center lane.
According to officials, a tanker-trailer combination, moving in the opposite direction, abruptly applied the brakes and came to a stop to yield to the ambulance. To avoid a collision, the driver of a green Ford Mustang, who was just behind the tractor-trailer drove into the center lane and hit the ambulance head-on, according to the Georgia State Patrol. The Mustang also struck a Dodge Ram pick up truck which was driving behind it after the first collision as per The Atlanta Journal Constitution.
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As per Fox 5 Atlanta, the ambulance didn't contain any patients at the time, but the driver, Gina Ayers, died later at Wellstar North Fulton Hospital. The Mustang's driver was also airlifted in a severe condition to the same hospital. Both the Ram's driver and a passenger in the ambulance sustained minor wounds. Ayres had been an EMT-intermediate for 12 years, according to a Facebook post from Central EMS, which was published on November 9.
“Gina was a beloved member of the Central EMS family, and we are devastated by her loss,” the company said in a statement. “Our hearts and prayers are with Gina’s family and colleagues throughout this difficult time,” they added. Ayres is survived by her husband, Tony Skindzier, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office’s Deputy Sheriff, and two grown daughters.
"Gina is described by her colleagues as a caring, compassionate and dedicated EMS professional who wanted nothing more than to serve her community," the post said. "She had a huge personality, and words cannot describe how strong, passionate and loving she was. Gina also had a heart for children and the less fortunate, volunteering at local schools and sitting with patients in nursing homes," it added. "We are deeply saddened about the loss Gina Ayers, a fellow first responder and a FCSO family member," the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office posted on it Facebook page. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Tony and the girls," they added. Charges are pending, according to Georgia State Patrol, while the investigation is ongoing.