A lady says her 80-year-old mom, Marty Artis, tipped over in her motorized wheelchair in bushes and snow after MetroAccess left her alone within the freezing chilly in Higher Marlboro.
Artis suffers from acute dementia and different medical issues.
“My coronary heart stopped as a result of I could not think about 16 levels exterior turned the other way up within the snow,” Consuelo Edwards, Artis’ daughter, stated.
Edwards says she walked her mom to the curb for a medical appointment, and he or she met the MetroAccess driver as she has executed many instances earlier than.
“I transferred custody to the driving force, got here again inside, waved goodbye. I am below the impression that my mom is on her strategy to dialysis,” Edwards stated.
However Edwards says her mom was refused service by the MetroAccess driver as a result of her wheelchair was too heavy.
Edwards says neither the driving force, nor MetroAccess known as her to inform her that they left her mom by the curb. That is when the autumn occurred.
After an hour laying there — Edwards says a neighbor heard her mom calling for assist. That neighbor ran to assist, after which knocked on her entrance door.
“If my neighbor hadn’t heard her name out for assist, she may have laid on the market for hours. And that is the half that I discover very disturbing,” Edwards stated.
Artis was taken to the hospital and is now again house with some bruising and swelling, particularly on her hand. Fortunately, no indicators of frostbite.
Edwards says her mom ought to have by no means been denied service as a result of she has seen the identical kind of auto transport her mom in the identical wheelchair earlier than. She says her mom’s wheelchair is definitely gentle.
Metro declined News4’s request fo an interview however issued this assertion:
“The motive force believed the shopper’s motorized wheelchair couldn’t be transported within the minivan. This data was communicated to the shopper, however no try was made by the driving force or dispatcher to rearrange for one more automobile to reach on the residence for transport. The incident is below investigation and the folks concerned might be held accountable for his or her actions if correct protocols weren’t adopted.”
Edwards says this isn’t the primary time she has had points with MetroAccess.
“I simply felt this time sufficient was sufficient. I’ve made complaints again and again,” she stated. “My factor is I believe MetroAccess actually must do higher and be extra accountable.”
She says she is now contemplating authorized motion as Metro investigates.
