Three Civilians Killed in Maryland Ambo Crash

___________________________________________

DISTRICT HEIGHTS, Md. -- Three men in an SUV were killed early Thursday after their vehicle crashed into an ambulance.

The two Prince George's County Fire and EMS firefighter/medics suffered minor injuries.

The ambulance was responding to a call shortly after midnight when they noticed a vehicle eastbound in the westbound lane. The medic swerved to avoid a head-on collision, said Mark Brady, fire department spokesman.

The SUV side-swiped the ambulance, ripping open the side. "The right side was obliterated," Brady said, adding the medical equipment was spread over a wide area.

After bouncing off the ambulance, the SUV struck a wall and a utility pole before coming to rest on its top. All three men were pronounced dead at the scene, Brady said.

The medics were released after treatment at a local hospital.