The Pewaukee Fire Department is addressing a possible delay in treating 3-year-old Nathaniel Mediana, the boy who died in an alleged drunk driving crash earlier this month. His father told law enforcement he fell asleep at the wheel.
The Pewaukee Fire Chief Kevin Bierce said he cannot confirm or deny whether first responders told deputies on scene that Nathaniel was sleeping. However, he believes the boy was evaluated in a timely manner.
"(Paramedics) were told by, and you'll see that in the run report, that both parents had told them that they believe the child to be sleeping," Bierce said.
Back on July 15, a Waukesha County Sheriff's deputy relayed through dispatch that Nathaniel was safe ten minutes after first arriving on scene.
"Child unharmed and sleeping in back seat," a deputy told dispatchers.
Something drastically changed three minutes later.
"I need a supervisor out to the scene, the child is not going well," the deputy said.
The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department sent TODAY'S TMJ4 a statement reading in part, "The deputy on the scene asked the EMS personnel on the scene the status of the child, they advised the deputy that the child was sleeping."
"I can't confirm or deny that, I don't know," said Bierce. "I never asked how that information was obtained."
"So none of your EMS personnel said that they told the deputy that they believed the child to be sleeping?" TODAY'S TMJ4 asked.
"I do not know that," responded Bierce.
"Did you ask all of your EMS personnel about that when you conducted an investigation into this?" TODAY'S TMJ4 asked.
"I did not because I don't think it had any play on the scenario itself," Bierce responded.
Bierce said this matter is closed. He believes his department acted professionally and effectively.
