Woman Who Caused Ambulance Crash On Center Street Bridge Convicted Of Traffic Charges

Marion Cushman -- the woman -- was convicted of three traffic charges in .

Cushman, 45, of Mentor-on-the-Lake, pleaded no contest to failing to yield, not using a turn signal and not maintaining an assured clear distance, according to court records. The judge subsequently found her guilty.

Cushman's sentencing hearing has not been scheduled yet.

The crash happened Nov. 7 and sent a total of four people, including Cushman, to the hospital.

An ambulance was responding to a paramedic call at the time of the crash. It was driving southward on the bridge when a green Pontiac Bonneville, driven by Cushman, crossed the median and struck it, Mentor Police Lt. Tom Powers said.

The Bonneville also struck a Pontiac Grand Prix while passing it, Powers said.

Next, the ambulance collided with a red truck and the truck was knocked onto the sidewalk.

Mentor firefighters were called to the scene and needed to extricate Cushman.

Cushman was driven to Lake West Medical Center. From there, she was flown by medical helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Mentor Fire Battalion Chief Joseph Busher said.

Three men who were hurt in the crash, including the two firefighters in the ambulance, were driven to Hillcrest Hospital for nonlife-threatening injuries, also. However, one of the firefighters has not been able to return to work since the crash because of injuries he received to his hands.