FORT PIERCE — A trauma surgeon and nurse on their way to work at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute on Saturday became first responders at an accident scene.

Dr. Alex Funicello, who was returning from a Hutchinson Island condo to finish rounds at Lawnwood, found the base of South Bridge blocked with police cars and accident tape.

Raymond Chew, 47, lay in the intersection of Seaway and Indian River drives, his motorcycle nearby and his helmet loose but still on. No emergency medical crews had arrived when Funicello arrived.

So, the trauma surgeon went to work, assessing the patient.
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ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A man in his mid 50s was taken to a local hospital Wednesday morning with minor injuries following a motorcycle crash, according to the St. Lucie County Fire District.

Fire District crews were called 2:43 a.m. to the incident in the 6500 block of Glades Cut-Off Road, the Fire District stated.

The motorcycle driver told rescue officials he’d swerved to avoid a pick-up truck and “put the motorcycle down,” Fire District spokeswoman Catherine Chaney said.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether the man, who was taken to a local hospital, wore a helmet.
Will Greenlee, TCPalm.com

Services for a Martin County firefighter-paramedic who was killed early Sunday when his motorcycle and a car collided west of Boynton Beach will be held Thursday, according to Martin County Fire Rescue.

James Reeder, 42, of Stuart worked for Martin County Fire Rescue since 2000 and was promoted to firefighter paramedic in 2002.

During his career, he worked on the Technical Extrication Rescue Team (TERT) and water Rescue Team / Dive Team. (more…)

PORT ST. LUCIE — A 19-year-old bicyclist sustained critical injuries Monday night after being struck by a dark-colored vehicle that fled the scene, police said Tuesday.
John J. Mejias, of the 2700 block of Northwest Hatches Harbor Road, was pedaling north on Floresta Drive south of Thornhill Drive about 8:20 p.m. when a vehicle hit him from behind, Officer Alex Gaufillet said, standing at the scene.
Mejias, who was flown to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, ended up about 130 feet from where he was struck. (more…)

PORT ST. LUCIE — Police are giving out special ID kits for kids to use on their helmets to help rescue workers in case of an emergency.

Paid by donations from the Elks Club and the Lions Club, the kits include a sticker of a check mark to place on the outside of a helmet to alert emergency personnel that there is medical and contact information inside.

Inside will be the child’s name and age, contact information for the child’s parents and notices of allergies or special medical conditions, crime prevention Officer Steve Camara said.

Police have already handed out helmet kits at Northport Middle School and will be handing out more at other schools throughout the city, Camara said.

Port St. Lucie residents can obtain helmet kits for their children by calling police at (772) 871-5027.