Patient Tased & Arrested In DeLand After Attacking Ambulance Crew

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DeLand, FL - A DeLand patient, who was being taken to the hospital by ambulance on Sunday night, was arrested for attacking the ambulance crew. Volusia County Sheriff's Office (VCSO) says 33-year-old David Parsons was being transported to the hospital at around 10:24 PM on Sunday. The paramedic driving the ambulance said he looked back and saw Parsons getting off the stretcher and attacking the paramedic riding in the back. The driver pulled the ambulance over and opened the back door of the vehicle. According to VCSO, Parsons had the paramedic in a chokehold. The driver then put Parsons in a chokehold until the other paramedic was released. The altercation continued outside of the ambulance. Deputies arrived at the scene in the area of the 720 block of East Taylor Road in DeLand. VCSO says Parsons was straddling one paramedic, and another paramedic was trying to pull Parsons away. One deputy tased Parsons, and Parsons was taken into custody. The ambulance team told deputies that Parsons had been belligerent toward the paramedics the entire time and that the patient even tried to "run at" the ambulance team and into oncoming traffic. After the incident, the paramedics were in good condition, and Parsons was medically cleared. Parsons was held at the Volusia County Branch Jail on $10,000 bond. He is charged with two felony counts of battery on an EMT. Deputy body cam footage of the incident can be seen here.

(Parsons' mugshot courtesy the Volusia County Jail)

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