Kingston bus driver charged after collision with ambulance

A driver with Kingston Transit is facing charges after a collision in one of the city’s busier intersections left two paramedics, who were travelling in an ambulance, with minor injuries.

The collision occurred just after 7 a.m. on Thursday, Mar. 24, 2022, as the morning commute began to fill the main arteries of Kingston’s roadways. A Kingston Transit bus, headed eastbound on King Street West, went to make a left turn onto Portsmouth Avenue. However, in making that turn, the bus struck an oncoming Frontenac Paramedic Services ambulance, which had been travelling westbound on King Street West.

Kingston Police general patrol officers attended the scene, which resulted in substantial delays in traffic in the Portsmouth District, where it was determined that the driver of the bus was responsible for the collision. Kingston Fire and Rescue and Frontenac Paramedic Services also attended the scene.

According to police, the bus driver was charged with “Turn Not into Safety,” which is a charge under Section 141 (Turning at intersections) (5) of the Highway Traffic Act. The ambulance did not have its siren or lights activated at the time of the collision, according to Kingston Police.

Section 141 (5) of the Highway Traffic Act states, “No driver or operator of a vehicle in an intersection shall turn left across the path of a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction unless he or she has afforded a reasonable opportunity to the driver or operator of the approaching vehicle to avoid a collision.”

Both the paramedic driving the ambulance and paramedic passenger sustained minor injuries as a result of the collision.

When asked for comment on the matter and what disciplinary actions, if any, will be taken against the driver, the City of Kingston, of which Kingston Transit is a division, said, “the City of Kingston cannot comment on personnel matters,” and indicated that any questions should be directed to Kingston Police.