Paramedic broke patient's nose and fractured skull

A former Denver Health paramedic is accused of beating a seizure patient so severely that he broke the victim's nose and eye socket and fractured his skull, according to an arrest affidavit released yesterday.

Allan Miller, 30, was arrested on Thursday afternoon for investigation of assault, false imprisonment and false reporting to authorities, police said. He remains in custody on $50,000 bond. According to the affidavit, 39-year-old Tim Smith suffered a seizure and hit his head at his home on the night of Jan. 3.

The paramedic who was driving him to Denver Health told police she heard what sounded like punching coming from the back of the ambulance. Shaunna King "observed Miller punch Smith in the stomach and in the face" and "watched Miller strike Smith in the side of the head with his right elbow," the affidavit said.

King said she had stopped the ambulance because Smith slipped out of his restraints and four police officers were called to help restrain him. The officers said when they arrived, they saw "a large amount of blood throughout the ambulance" and Smith was bleeding profusely from his nose and mouth.

King told investigators, "There was no reason for the patient to be handled the way he was."

Smith's wife, Suzanne Smith, told police her husband didn't have the skull, nose and eye socket injuries when he was loaded into the ambulance. Police said Smith might not be Miller's only victim and are continuing to investigate Miller's conduct. There might be additional charges if additional victims are found.