A man who told police he was HIV positive was arrested Saturday night after he allegedly spit on emergency crews trying to give him medical treatment.
Daniel Paul Hedge, 46, was arrested on four complaints each of spreading infectious disease and knowingly engaging to transfer HIV. His bond is set at $50,000, jail records show.
Hedge was being treated for injuries from a fire at about 6 p.m. Saturday. He was combative, flinging his head and spitting on three EMSA workers and a Tulsa firefighter, getting blood and saliva on them, according to the arrest report.
He told emergency personnel that he is HIV positive and also has hepatitis C, according to the report.
Following standard procedure, one EMSA employee has been tested for the diseases, and Hedge will also be tested, said Jason Whitlow, field operations supervisor for EMSA.
Hedge became belligerent quickly, before workers were able to put on all their protective gear, Whitlow said.
"Unfortunately, these things happen in our line of work," Whitlow said. "But we do take lots of precautions."
Hedge has been in prison for shooting with intent to kill, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of contraband in a penal institution, according to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
