Woman arrested for fighting EMS supervisor in Southie rotary

BOSTON — A woman was arrested for fighting with an EMS supervisor in South Boston Thursday afternoon, according to state police.

Two troopers were called to help when a woman tried to force her way into a building being blocked by EMS in response to an unconscious woman. As EMTs were attending to the unconscious woman, police say Donna Taylor, 37, tried to force her way into the building, shoving an EMS supervisor who was in the doorway.

According to police, Taylor and the EMS supervisor got into a fight that spilled out into the Rotary on Old Colony Avenue. As they were fighting in the street, two state police troopers showed up and arrested Taylor.

"This particular woman followed [the EMS supervisor], swinging, making some attempt to harm him," said Boston EMS Chief James Hooley. "Fortunately for him it was in the presence of a couple of State Troopers."

Police say Taylor made "fierce attempts to resist arrest" as she was put in the back of the vehicle.

Taylor has been charged with assault on ambulance personnel, assault and battery on a person over 60, assault and battery, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

This incident comes just a day after an EMT was stabbed multiple times while transporting a patient to Mass. General Hospital.

"In the situation we're in, we're in there trying to take care of them," Hooley said. "That's not the time for our personnel to be punching bags or because you're having a bad day."

Boston EMS Union President Michael MacNeil says legislators can help end assaults against EMTs by upgrading penalties for attacks on the first responders. Those are represented in House Bill 1578.

"It happens daily, to a smaller extent," MacNeil said of the attacks.

Cox Media Group