Man Arrested After Jumping Out Ambulance To Escape Deputies In Keys

A 35-year-old man was arrested Monday after jumping out of an ambulance to get away from deputies, Fl Keys News reported on Tuesday (September 22).

On Monday (September 21), Monroe County deputies were called to a Big Pine Key home in the 1400 block of Merelyn Lane.

An arrest report said Ira Emil Kawzinsky locked himself in his bedroom and would not let authorities in.

Deputies kicked in the door and found Kawzinsky with a syringe, a spoon and a substance that tested positive for heroin, according to authorities.

“Kawzinsky was described as incoherent, but responsive,” sheriff's office spokesperson Adam Linhardt said.

Authorities put Kawzinsky in the back of the patrol car, but he started convulsing. Deputies took him out of the car and used Narcan on him, which can stop opioid overdoses.

Monroe County Fire Rescues arrived and loaded Kawzinsky into an ambulance, which headed toward a Lower Keys Medical Center on Stock Island.

Deputies were following the emergency vehicle, but then it stopped suddenly.

Linhardt said the ambulance stopped because Kawzinsky was about to open the door. He added that the 35-year-old man jumped out the vehicle through the rear door and fled near Loma Lane.

Authorities from the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and U.S. Border Patrol helped deputies find Kawzinsky within two hours.

The 35-year-old man made it to the hospital via a patrol car, not an ambulance.

Kawzinsky told officials he ingested four bags of heroin before they arrived at the house.

“Perhaps he blacked out during the incident,” Linhardt said.

After Kawzinsky was medically cleared at the hospital, he was charged for violating probation, resisting arrest, possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He's in custody at the Stock Island Detention Center with no bond.

Photo: Getty Images