02/13/2025
Five years ago, an unfounded lawsuit was initiated against TEXAS RESCUE PATROL by an individual who claimed to have sustained injuries at Red Sands. Due to the ongoing litigation, I was previously unable to discuss the matter publicly; however, that restriction has now lifted.
The plaintiff in this baseless lawsuit was never a patient of TEXAS RESCUE PATROL. Moreover, the plaintiff did not suffer any injuries on property owned, leased, or managed by us, nor was any equipment that we own or manage involved. At the time, the plaintiff violated a county-wide stay-at-home order that was in effect during the COVID-19 pandemic and encountered a random individual at Red Sands. The plaintiff entered this individual’s vehicle without any safety equipment, and when the driver lost control and crashed, resulting in the plaintiff's injuries, they wrongfully included TRP among their list of defendants, despite our lack of liability. This lawsuit should not have persisted for five years.
The financial burden was substantial, costing us thousands in legal fees. Furthermore, due to the potential risk of a settlement, our insurance provider chose not to renew our coverage last July, triggering a negative chain reaction. This decision forced us to halt all operations at Red Sands and throughout HUDSPETH COUNTY. As the primary 911 EMS ambulance service for that area, the entire community suffered as a result. Our state licenses were suspended due to our inability to secure insurance, and no insurer would cover us while this frivolous lawsuit lingered. We found ourselves in a dire situation.
The repercussions of this lawsuit have severely affected the lives of our volunteers and the communities we serve. The residents of Hudspeth County have endured significant hardships as they lost access to ambulance services.
I am pleased to announce that today, our case was finally presented in court, and justice has been served as the case was dismissed. However, the damage has already been inflicted, and now TRP faces the challenge of rebuilding. This process will require time and effort. Our commitment as a volunteer organization has always been to serve our community and support local agencies. The recent passing of our Medical Director and Vice President, Dr. Robert Phelan, who played a vital role in establishing TRP, has left us with the daunting task of filling significant leadership voids. Therefore, I kindly ask for your patience as our team works diligently to restore our operations.
I would like to express my gratitude to all the agencies that collaborate with us for their support, to our communities for their ongoing encouragement, and most importantly, to all our volunteers, both past and present, for their unwavering dedication in serving the community.