Tag: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville now has not but one two black eyes, first with the Edgar Torres-Rangel escape and now a patient dying unnecessarily. As The Tennessee Star reported, Torres-Rangel, an alleged illegal immigrant, drove drunk and killed a woman in Bedford County in late October. Tennessee Highway Patrol officers worked that crash. Torres-Rangel sustained injuries of his own, and authorities transported him to Vanderbilt. He later walked out of the hospital without anyone notifying authorities. His present whereabouts are unknown. As reported, THP officials blame Vanderbilt for not notifying them of Torres-Rangel’s release. Vanderbilt spokeswoman John Howser told The Star Friday that the hospital is responsible for caring for patients despite the circumstances prior to their admission. “In instances where someone may have committed a criminal act we do not assume legal custody of offenders as this is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies who have jurisdiction to place or hold individuals under arrest, even in the hospital setting,” Howser said in an emailed statement. “By now, most area law enforcement agencies are aware that as a health care provider VUMC does not hold patients under arrest and understand that they bear the responsibility for offender custody.…