Sunday morning a Pasadena man was driving himself to the hospital for what witness's say was a medical problem. ABC2 News found out it may have been because of a bee sting.
The man lost control of his truck on North Shore Road by Mountain Road and struck a telephone pole. The man died from his injuries Monday.
Captain Russ Davies, with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, says driving yourself to the hospital may not be the best idea,"If your feeling weak, if feeling disoriented, if you feeling like your going to pass out, it certainly is not the time to get behind the wheel of a car."
Even if it seems to be a minor condition, you may not be the best one to diagnose the severity of the medical problem. Your condition could worsen a lot quicker than you expect and that is not the time to be in control of a car.
"What we encourage is call 911, let the paramedics access you so we can began treatment and make sure you are going to the right facility. The closest hospital, depending on what you condition is, may not be the right facility," Davies said.
If you are experiencing medical difficulties in Anne Arundel County, there really is no financial reason to not call an ambulance.
"If you are a county resident, we will send a bill to your insurance company but, you are not obligated to pay the balance and if you don't have insurance you don't pay at all," Davies said.
If you are not a county resident, they still bill your insurance company and may send you a balance.
"We do what is called a soft billing so that balance does not go to collections," Davies said.
Dana Wilkins has driven herself to the hospital before.
"I was always told it cost $500 if you take an ambulance, that's why most people don't call them because ambulance company's cost you $500," she said.
Bonnie Stepp from Glen Burnie says, "I didn't know that. I thought they always charge you. That's why I always drive myself too.
Captain Davies' main priority is safety.
"We don't want anybody not to call us because the fear of the transport fee," he said.
