Man Bites Off Rescuer’s Earlobe
A 21-year-old Santa Ana man was arrested early Wednesday morning after he bit off part of a paramedic’s earlobe, authorities said.
Paramedics received a report just before 7 a.m. that Alejandro Avalos, the alleged attacker, was having a seizure at an apartment complex on Memory Lane.
When paramedics arrived, Avalos behaved erratically and attacked the first paramedic who got out of the ambulance, authorities said.
Avalos allegedly bit the paramedic’s left ear as they wrestled on the ground.
Santa Ana Fire Capt. Randy Black said Avalos appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance, adding that it took seven paramedics and police officers to restrain him.
Avalos and the paramedic were transported together to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where doctors reattached the severed piece of the paramedic’s ear.
Authorities did not release the name of the paramedic, a 17-year veteran of the Santa Ana Fire Department.
“This is a glaring example how non-routine our job is,” Black said. “When you think you’re going on a routine call, you never let your guard down because as soon as you do, it can become an extremely dangerous situation.”
Avalos remained in custody at the hospital Wednesday afternoon under observation by doctors, Santa Ana Police Sgt. Raul Luna said.
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