Family settles lawsuit with City of Victoria over ambulance crash in 2022

VICTORIA, Texas - On May 5, 2022, a 2019 City of Victoria ambulance collided with a Chevy Traverse near Spring Creek Road and Main St. The ambulance crashed into a pond at Spring Creek. No one was being transported inside the ambulance at the time.

Frank and Betty Roeder were inside the Chevy Traverse. The couple was rushed to hospitals; Frank had a major head injury. Both were eventually transferred to San Antonio for care. Frank Roeder died days later on May 13, 2022.

The DPS investigated the crash and issued an amended report that found the ambulance driver at fault due to excessive speed and a faulty maneuver. The DPS recommended criminal charges against the driver, but last June a Victoria County grand jury no-billed the case. The potential charges were criminal negligent homicide and aggravated assault. The driver was 28-years-old at the time.

The lawsuit claimed the driver was speeding at the time of the crash and that the crew was not on an emergency call. The family has since settled a lawsuit with the City of Victoria. By law, civil settlements with cities are capped at $500,000.

That Friday afternoon, Frank and Betty were headed to an event at a nearby country club. Betty Roeder sustained major injuries and is now living in an independent living facility in another city.

Three firefighters inside the ambulance managed to escape before the vehicle went underwater. The ambulance alone was worth $300,000, and the equipment inside ranged between $100,000 to $150,000, according to the fire chief at the time of the crash.

One of the three paramedics had begun working for the fire department just a week before the incident, while the other two had been with the city for several years by 2022. As part of the settlement the city is not claiming fault.

Family members of Frank and Betty Roeder released the following statement:

"It is our sincere hope as a family that the loss of our loving father, Frank, and the life-long injuries sustained by our mother, Betty, will not be in vain. We are fortunate and relieved to know that the original findings of fault against Frank were inaccurate and our father has been cleared by an independent investigation performed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

We trust that the facts from the investigation will serve as a catalyst for additional training and review of policies and procedures to ensure the safety of all citizens of Victoria. Our wish is that no family will have to endure the ongoing pain and loss of a loved one due to such a preventable tragedy."

25 News Now has reached out to the City of Victoria and we're waiting to hear back.

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