Dateline: July 10, 2003

TDH takes no action against ambulance service in DWI case

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

An investigation of the Associated Ambulance Authority by the Texas Department of Health (TDH) following the March arrest of ambulance driver for Driving While Intoxicated has resulted in no action by the state.

Officials with the ambulance service, which is operated by the Donley County Hospital District, have received official word from Austin late last week that the case has been closed with no action taken.

“We’re very pleased with their decision,” said authority director Anita Aaron. “We’re looking forward to continuing to provide Donley County with the quality service they have come to expect. We’ve got an outstanding group of people here.”

The TDH investigation was triggered when volunteer ambulance driver Alan Graham was arrested for DWI on March 2 after he responded to an accident. Graham, who is also the administrator of the hospital district, resigned from the volunteer ambulance service. Legal action is still pending against him at press time.

“I’m pleased with the outcome of this investigation,” Graham said Tuesday, “and we are now looking to move forward.”