“The SUAS machines will greatly enhance our ability to bring quick resolve in finding lost children, hikers, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts and injured people,” said Captain Keith Dinn, Support Services Assistant Commander. “The training and expertise our certified pilots have received gives me confidence that our officers and other emergency responding agencies will have a much higher rate of success in locating citizens in need with a much quicker response time.”

Currently, five Indiana Conservation Officers have become certified pilots of the SUAS machines and will be prepared for statewide response. The DNR Law Enforcement Division has two SUAS units with future goals of adding more to the fleet.

Along with the ability to locate lost citizens, the SUAS will map out the obstacles for the emergency response personnel and provide knowledge of dangers before encountering the obstacle.

“I could not be more proud of our agency as we make this innovative and futuristic step forward to enhance our search and rescue response capabilities to reach our citizens in need,” stated Danny L. East, DNR Law Enforcement Director.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the Star EMS unit was slowly proceeding through a red light on northbound Milford Road around 8:30 p.m. when a 22-year-old Fenton woman in a Chevrolet Silverado traveling westbound on M-59 passed through the intersection on a green light and the two collided. The ambulance was enroute to an emergency run with lights and sirens activated.

The driver of the Silverado was transported to McLaren Hospital in Pontiac where she is listed in serious condition. The ambulance driver, a 41-year-old Highland Township man, and his 55-year-old passenger, of Springfield Township, were both taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Pontiac where both men are listed in stable condition.

Troopers say there were no patients inside the ambulance at the time. Two workers were taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.