Crash mistake to face probe; Doctor, paramedics incorrectly ruled wreck victim dead

From Newszap.com

DOVER - The state Division of Public Health has asked for an additional investigation of the medical response to a fatal accident on Del. 1 last month in which a Frederica woman was mistakenly pronounced dead.

Two Kent County paramedics and a physician responding to the Nov. 19 crash pronounced Brenda Lee Pitner, 42, dead about 6:10 a.m.

Ms. Pitner was pinned under her vehicle, which rotated 180 degrees after hitting the pickup and continued approximately 50 feet southward before coming to a stop.

Medical responders pronounced Ms. Pitner dead at about 6:10 a.m., but Delaware state troopers investigating the crash found her alive about an hour later.

Emergency crews were called back and rescuers from Dover's Robbins Hose Co. freed Ms. Pitner from her car. She was flown to Christiana Hospital near Wilmington, where she was treated for a cut to her head.