Coventry paramedic injured in collision urges driver to ‘do the right thing’

Sarah Doiron and Kayla Fish

8 minutes ago

COVENTRY, R.I. (WPRI) – Miranda Hennessy is lucky to be alive.

The 33-year-old mother-of-three, a paramedic in Coventry, has been out of work since she was hit by an oncoming car while at work last month.

Hennessy and two of her colleagues responded to a medical emergency at a home on Victory Highway that evening.

“Our ambulance was out of service due to mechanical problems, so we brought our fire engine,” she explained.

Hennessy, who was sitting in the passenger seat, said she repeatedly checked her surroundings before getting out of the truck.

“It’s just a matter of basic care,” she said.

It wasn’t until she was about to get out of the truck that an oncoming minivan crashed into her open door.

The driver, who has not yet been identified, continued driving.

Hennessy was thrown from the truck and knocked unconscious. Her first memory afterward was of “waking up on a cold metal table” in a trauma room at Rhode Island Hospital.

“The first feeling I had of what was happening was that my leg was in the wrong position,” she recalls.

Hennessy suffered an open compound fracture to her leg, a severe concussion, as well as numerous scrapes and bruises.

Nearly a month later, she is walking again, which her doctor says is a feat that typically takes at least four months.

“I was lucky to be in a fire truck that night,” Hennessy explained. “I feel like the steel door provided more support and protection.”

Although she acknowledged that her recovery has not been easy, Hennessy feels she is getting stronger every day.

“A large part of my life and work depends on my physical strength and the ability to help other people,” she said. “It was very humbling to be in a position where I’m the one getting help.”

Hennessy told 12 News she will be returning to work soon and is looking forward to “getting back in the saddle.”

“There are certainly many more people in the world who need help and the list doesn’t stop with me,” she said.

Hennessy said none of the paramedics who were with her that evening saw the minibus approaching, despite also checking for oncoming traffic several times.

“The hardest part is we’ve done our due diligence,” she said. “Now the biggest question is why (the driver) didn’t stop.”

Her message to the driver who hit her is simple: turn yourself in.

“From person to person, I can respect and appreciate that you drive a minivan. I also drive a minivan,” Hennessy said. “You may have children and you probably have a family that wants you to do the right thing.”

“You’ve kept this all a mystery,” she continued. “But in the meantime, when I see a minivan that matches the description (of the one that hit me), sometimes I panic because I don’t know who you are and that’s really scary.”

Hennessy also hopes that by sharing her story it will encourage others to be much more aware of first responders while driving, especially after a Coventry police officer was injured in an unrelated collision a few weeks later.

“I understand that we live in an age of distraction, but I think first responders should be a much bigger priority, especially on the roads and highways,” she said.

Coventry Police are now offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver responsible. The suspect’s vehicle is believed to be a Chrysler minivan with damage to the passenger side mirror.

Anyone with information is urged to call detectives at (401) 822-9194 or email the tips line at [email protected]. Tips can be passed on anonymously.