Two court-appointed doctors said Wednesday that the man accused of killing a Bronx EMT by running her down with her own ambulance in 2017 is unfit to stand trial.
"I feel that this is just a game. He's using it for protection," said Alido Acevedo-Hernandez, the aunt of the victim. "But my question to him is, Who protected Yadi from him? You know, who protected Yadi from him? So we don't believe it. We don't buy it."
Jose Gonzalez faces murder charges in the death of Yadira Arroyo. Prosecutors say he stole the ambulance in March 2017 while Arroyo responded to call in Soundview.
(Bronx FEMT Yadira Arroyo, a 14-year veteran of the FDNY and a mother of five, was killed in 2017 when Jose Gonzalez allegedly stole her ambulance and hit her with it. Photo courtesy of the FDNY).
WHAT HAPPENS NOW THAT THE SUSPECT HAS BEEN FOUND UNFIT TO STAND TRAIL?
A psychiatrist and psychologist came to the conclusion that Gonzalez is not mentally fit for trial after rigorous testing. The 27-year-old refused to show up in court Wednesday. Gonzalez had been committed to psychological testing and was undergoing treatment at Rikers Island.
Prosecutors now can review a 10-page report detailing the findings and have the option to agree or disagree with the results.
If they agree, Gonzalez will be sent to a psychiatric hospital.
If they disagree, prosecutors can go ahead with a hearing.
Prosecutors requested the suspect's medical records, and the defense attorney said she would cooperate and introduce them.
Gonzalez is due back in court on December 20.
AN FDNY EMT VETERAN KILLED
Arroyo was a 14-year-veteran of the FDNY and a mother of five. Investigators said the 44-year-old and her partner were responding to a call on March 16, 2017 when they noticed a man riding their back bumper.
Police said when they got out to investigate, the man jumped in and tried to drive away with the ambulance. Officials said Gonzalez eventually put the vehicle in reverse, running over Arroyo.