Chandler PD cruiser struck by ambulance

Chandler Assistant Chief of Police James P. Lehman, 43, is recovering from minor injuries incurred when the 2004 Ford Explorer police unit he was driving was struck by an ETMC ambulance, Friday afternoon, April 6.

According to a DPS report by Corporal Bryan Barnhart, both Lehman and the ambulance driven by Michael Jay Miller, 35, of Canton, were westbound on State Highway 31, near the Chandler western city limits, in the inside lane of a four-lane roadway with a center left turn lane when the incident occurred.

Lehman, in his marked Chandler Police unit, began to brake in preparation to make a U-turn to stop an approaching eastbound vehicle. Miller observed Lehman's braking and began to brake to avoid a rear end collision.

Lehman moved slightly to the right setting up for the Uturn and activated his overhead lights on the patrol unit.

At the same time, Miller began to take evasive action to the left and struck the driver's side of Lehman's patrol unit with the front right side of the ambulance.

Lehman was taken by private vehicle to ETMC Tyler where he was reportedly treated and released for his injuries.

Miller and his passenger Michael D. Pierce, 23, also of Canton were not injured.

No citations were issued.