DETROIT – Two Detroit EMS technicians have been charged with assault for allegedly punching a patient who was having a seizure.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday said Byron Beales, 37, and Brian Bachynski, 25, were charged with misdemeanor aggravated assault.
They allegedly beat Romaine Robinson in August while he was being transported to a hospital from his home on Karl Street.
Local 4 interviewed Robinson in September. He said he has a history of seizures and is usually driven to the hospital by his fiancée, but they called 911 for extra help.
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“I remember telling her, ‘Call 911. Call the ambulance. This feels like a big one,’” Robinson said.
But when Robinson was in the ambulance outside his home, Robinson's fiancée’s 12-year-old daughter, Ja-Nae Robinson, said she saw the assault.
"The big one came out and started yelling, 'Does he have AIDS? Does he have herpes?' Because I guess my daddy scratched him,” Ja-Nae Robinson said.
Once the ambulance left, Robinson was taken to Botsford Hospital. The police report indicates that the nurse treating Robinson agreed with his fiancée that the injuries to his eye and bruises on his face were not consistent with that of a seizure. Robinson and his fiancée then filed the police report.
"We will not comment about the ongoing legal proceedings. Both the Union, and the technicians have been cooperative with the process," said Detroit EMS union president Joseph Barney.
Statement from Detroit EMS Chief Sean Larkins:
Allegations of assaultive behavior against Fire Department Medics are taken very seriously. Once these allegations were made, the employee's union representative was notified and these employees were placed on administrative duty while the Detroit Police Department conducted its investigation. Once the Department was notified of the charges filed against the two medics, both were immediately placed on leave, without pay, pending the outcome of their case.