Christie orders flags at half-staff for EMT killed in crash

TRENTON (AP) — Gov. Chris Christie has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff Friday at all state buildings to honor an EMT who was killed while responding to a call Saturday.

Hinal Patel was killed when a car collided with the ambulance she was the passenger in in East Brunswick.

Authorities say the 22-year-old Piscataway resident and a colleague were on their way to assist at a car accident in East Brunswick. The ambulance had its emergency lights and sirens activated, and no patients were inside.

In his executive order, Christie wrote that "Patel’s compassion for others and commitment to her community through providing care to those in need makes her a hero and a true role model for all New Jerseyans." 

Police say a car driven by 58-year-old Kathleen Meade of East Brunswick struck the ambulance in an intersection, overturning the emergency vehicle and causing it to slide into another car.

Meade and the ambulance driver were treated at hospitals.

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