Perry County inmate a patient in ambulance accident

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- A Perry County Jail inmate was one of six people injured Wednesday morning when an ambulance taking him to St. Louis was struck by a vehicle that ventured into the ambulance's lane.

Patrick P. Wilson, 48, was at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis on Wednesday evening, the hospital said, where the Orlando, Fla., man was being treated for minor injuries. All of those in the ambulance, including a Perry County sheriff's deputy, sustained minor injuries. The driver of the other vehicle, Rhonda L. Sexton, 40, of Ste. Genevieve was in serious condition at Mercy Jefferson in Crystal City, Mo.

Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf confirmed Wilson was the patient in the ambulance after he had hurt his ankle. Wilson, who was being taken to St. Louis for further examination, has been in custody since October awaiting trial on four felonies for which he is accused of bilking an elderly Perryville, Mo., couple out of $250,000.

Schaaf on Wednesday said Wilson has disabilities and generally is in poor health. Wilson was taken to Perry County Memorial Hospital after twisting he ankle, Schaaf said. Deputy Blane D. Kohm was sent to guard Wilson, Schaaf said. The Perryville hospital opted to send Wilson to Barnes Jewish.

The ambulance, operated by Perry County Memorial Hospital, was on Interstate 55 just north of Highway 32 when the accident occurred, according to a preliminary report by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Sexton, who was driving a 2004 Dodge Neon, traveled off the right side of the road and struck three roadside signs before she overcorrected and steered into the ambulance, the report said.

Ambulance personnel involved in the accident were Seth W. Amschler, 24, Garrett L. Flentge, 20, and Ricky T. Welker, 54, all from Perryville. They were taken to Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

Kohm was the only passenger not wearing a safety device, the patrol report said. Schaaf said Kohm mainly had bumps and bruises.

Hospital officials who oversee the ambulance service did not return phone calls seeking comment late Wednesday.

Schaaf found the accident to be puzzling -- and rare.

"It's not often that somebody runs into an ambulance on the interstate," Schaaf said.

Schaaf expects Wilson to be returned to the jail in a day or two after being treated for his injuries.

Wilson was arrested in Orlando in October and charged with four felonies -- financial exploitation of the elderly, two counts of stealing by deceit and unlawful merchandising practices. The case is being prosecuted by Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster and a case review has been set for 9 a.m. March 21.

Wilson is alleged to have been one of the individuals who strung along the couple -- both in their 70s -- during a six-month period. Callers told them they had won a million-dollar prize, but first the couple would need to pay fees and taxes.

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Interstate 55 and Highway 32, Perryville, MO