Suspected drunk driver injures six in Baton Rouge accident

A suspected drunk driver seriously injured seven people at the scene of an earlier accident, including two Acadian Ambulance medics and a Baton Rouge police officer, early Sunday morning near the I-10/I-12 split in Baton Rouge.
Police and ambulance personnel had been called to the scene of a one-vehicle accident involving a Mazda 6 at 1:15 a.m.
A Baton Rouge Police Department spokesman said a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 26-year-old William Smith, passed the emergency vehicles, struck the Mazda and pushed it into a police officer, an EMT and two bystanders.
Smith attempted to flee the scene, striking another EMT and bystander before being stopped by police on I-12.
Police said the officer, EMTs, bystanders and Smith were taken to hospitals with severe but non-life-threatening injuries.
Smith refused to take a breathalyzer test, so a warrant was issued to force a toxicology test. Charges are pending, police said.
 In an interview with WBRZ-TV, Acadian Ambulance Operations Manager Justin Cox said injuries at the scene included broken bones, deep tissue wounds, lacerated arteries, internal bleeding and head injuries.
Acadian Chairman & CEO Richard Zuschlag expressed his gratitude to everyone who responded to the scene to assist the injured.
"Our medics have a genuine passion to help those in need,” Zuschlag said. “By the nature of our work, first responders are sometimes placed in dangerous situations.  Incidents like this are tragic and we are praying for all of the victims."