Hunter
12/11/19
An Iowa City man who was being transported to the hospital for an injury is accused of attacking a paramedic assisting him.
Officers were summoned to the Summit Bar just before 1am Wednesday for a patron who fell. Bar staff reported that 21-year-old Javier Rivera was causing issues with them and other customers. Rivera refused to leave and was escorted outside.
As they were exiting the bar, Rivera reportedly slipped, fell and suffered a laceration to his head. Officers noted bloodshot watery eyes, slurred and confused speech, impaired balance and the strong odor of ingested alcohol.
Officers say when they asked Rivera for his ID he pulled out a hundred dollar bill instead and gave it to the officer. They called for paramedics, who recommended Rivera be taken to a hospital for treatment.
During the ambulance ride to the University of Iowa Emergency Trauma Center, Rivera stood up and was told to sit down by the paramedic. Instead, Rivera allegedly leaned back and then came at the paramedic, punching him in the left side of his face. During the ensuing struggle Rivera fell between the cot and the ambulance’s interior wall. He was restrained until police arrived.
Rivera was charged with assault on persons in certain occupations and public intoxication. If convicted on the charges, he could be sentenced to up to 13 months in jail.
