NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The man who allegedly mowed down a 14-year veteran FDNY EMT with her stolen ambulance in 2017 has been deemed fit to stand trial, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark announced Wednesday.
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The prosecutor's announcement marks a reversal after a Bronx judge in May found Jose Gonzalez mentally unfit to stand trial for the death of Yadira Arroyo, 44, in March 2017.
"Now, approximately four months later, health professionals at Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center have determined him to be no longer an incapacitated person," Clark said.
Arroyo and another EMT were responding to a routine medical call when Gonzalez began riding on the back of the ambulance, police said. Arroyo was driving.
After they were flagged down, Arroyo got out and briefly spoke to Gonzalez before he dashed into the driver’s seat, according to a court complaint.
She tried to stop him from driving off, but he threw the vehicle in reverse and ran her over, then drove forward and hit her again, the complaint said. A bystander's video, posted on Twitter, captured a horrific scene of the ambulance speeding across an intersection with one of its doors open, its lights flashing and Arroyo’s body being dragged beneath.
Gonzalez was captured moments later by a passing transit police officer and a bystander after the ambulance hit several parked cars and got stuck on a snowbank, authorities said.
He will now face charges of first-and second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, robbery, vehicular manslaughter and operating a motor vehicle under the influence.
He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in 2017, PIX 11 reported.
Clark said Gonzalez is due to appear in Bronx Supreme Court on Sept. 29.
"We thank her family and FDNY colleagues for their patience and support, as we continue to obtain justice for Yadi," she added.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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