A Broward firefighter was jailed Thursday after he allegedly attacked a patient, slamming his head and pressing into his eyes inside a camera-free rescue truck.
Deputies with the Broward Sheriff’s Office say 43-year-old Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue lieutenant Carlos Lewin, an 11-year veteran of the department, was part of a crew responding to a medical call on January 31 in unincorporated central Broward County.
Authorities say the 65-year-old male patient was in a wheelchair when crews arrived and was later transferred to a stretcher for evaluation. During that time, Lewin and the patient began arguing, according to investigators.
Lewin allegedly instructed two firefighters to move the patient into a rescue truck, which does not have cameras.
The firefighters who witnessed the incident reported it, officials said.
While inside, the firefighters told investigators that Lewin grabbed the patient’s head and repeatedly slammed it against the stretcher for about 30 seconds.
They also reported that Lewin used his fingers to press into the patient’s eyes before striking his head against the stretcher.
Lewin was placed on administrative leave with pay as the investigation began, and on Thursday, he was taken into custody.
Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony praises firefighters who reported the incident in a news release:
The arrest of our fire lieutenant demonstrates our commitment to holding our own accountable for their unlawful actions. The public can rest assured that internal due process will be fair, and any resulting discipline will be appropriate and consistent with policy. I applaud the two firefighters who reported this incident. We will continue to hold each other to the highest standards and serve the public with professionalism.
Deputies found probable cause to book Lewin for two counts of battery on a person 65 years of age or older.
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Source: cbs12
