Posted on 09/26/2008 5:32:38 AM PDT by Renfield
FORT PIERCE — A St. Lucie County firefighter who allegedly took a Melbourne man’s severed foot from the scene of a traffic accident last week is under investigation, Fire Chief Ron Parrish announced Thursday.
Parrish said the incident calls into question “the public’s trust in our responsibility and commitment to provide emergency care to our citizens. It’s an extremely serious matter, and one I find personally disturbing. This is a very serious allegation, and we have an obligation to the public and those involved to investigate it thoroughly.”
Parrish would not answer further questions, he said, until the investigation is complete.
The victim, Karl Lambert, 46, has retained the West Palm Beach law office of Raymond Christian. Reached by phone Thursday at his hospital room at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Lambert declined to comment and referred questions to his attorney.
“I am in excruciating pain right now,” he said. “I have a long road to recovery.”
A paralegal who answered the phone at Christian’s office Thursday said the attorney would not be available for comment until Friday.
Fire District Spokeswoman Catherine Chaney said when dealing with severed body parts at an accident scene, it is the Fire District’s policy to take the part with the patient to the hospital if there is any chance of reattachment, or the body part goes to the medical examiner’s office.
Depending on the situation, severed body parts are either handled by law enforcement on scene or by fire department officials, Chaney said.
“It’s not normal for remains or pieces or parts to be removed from an accident scene other than by the appropriate authority,” said Fire District Deputy Chief Buddy Emerson.
Fire District officials would not release the name of the firefighter who also is a trained paramedic. However, Chaney said the firefighter, a woman, trains cadaver dogs. Cadaver dogs are used to locate and follow the scent of decomposing human flesh. Asked whether the firefighter used the foot to train cadaver dogs, Chaney said, “What she was going to use this specific foot for, I can’t confirm.”
Chaney said Lambert's foot was severed during the accident and was not amputated. She said she did not know how long the investigation would take.
Meanwhile, Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Tim Frith said Thursday the agency is investigating the incident. Fire District officials notified FHP about the incident Wednesday, Frith said. A trooper has been assigned to take statements and collect information on what happened to the body part, he said.
“We’re in the preliminary stages right now,” Frith said. “It may reach the magnitude of a criminal matter. In 27 years, this is the first time I have ever heard of these accusations. It’s highly unusual.”
Frith said he did not know how long FHP’s investigation would take to determine whether the incident is criminal.
Meanwhile, Fire District officials said the firefighter is still on duty pending the completion of the investigation.
The crash involving Lambert happened Friday on southbound Interstate 95 near the Tradition exit. According to an FHP report, Lambert’s Chevrolet truck, traveling southbound in the inside lane, veered to the left of the roadway onto the emergency lane. Lambert overcorrected to get back on the road and struck the left side of a Toyota pickup truck driven by Cocoa resident Barbara Price. Lambert’s vehicle then crossed onto a grassy median on the left side of the road and struck a tree.
All the weird stuff happens down here in FL.
susie
Not all...
"A severed foot is the ultimate stocking stuffer" - Mitch Hedberg
Well, some weirdness is afoot, for sure.
Foot fetish?
Severed Foot fetish ?
“What she was going to use this specific foot for, I can’t confirm.”
Heard they make a great soup base.
OK, not all, but goodness we have more than our fair share!
susie
Victims case doesn’t have a leg to stand on :)
[cue “My Pal Foot-Foot” by The Shaggs]
I guess the firefighter didnt toe the line.
Give some people an inch and they’ll take a foot..
“O Sole Mio”
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