The Storm - Part One

In an effort to communicate with his son, Benton takes a costly sign-language class under the tutelage of Alycia (MARLEE MATLIN - "Children of a Lesser God"). Romano overhears Benton complaining about his lack of funds and suggests a program whereby Benton would substitute for vacationing doctors at rural hospitals for high pay. As acting chief of emergency services, Romano delegates a plethora of responsibilities to Greene and Weaver. Lucy and Carter share a romantic tryst while on duty. Greene treats hospital worker Mobalage for impotency.

Meanwhile, paramedics transport terminally ill Ricky to the emergency room as they try to resuscitate him. His father, David Abbott (recurring guest star CONOR O'FARRELL), a lawyer with the state attorney's office, insists on keeping the boy alive. When Ricky never recovers, Abbott accuses Ross of killing his son. Later, Sullivan (recurring guest star JAMES HANDY) questions Greene about Ricky's death. Sullivan also works for the state attorney's office and opens an investigation into Ricky's death at Abbott's request. He interviews Ross and explains that the boy's death could be first-degree murder.

Police visit the emergency room. Ross confesses to Greene about getting the equipment with Hathaway's help and showing Joi how to override the dosage counter and administer more medicine than the machine normally allows. Furious, Anspaugh closes Hathaway's clinic despite her innocence, and Hathaway gets angry at Ross. Greene refuses to let Ross ride in the ambulance to a school bus crash. Ross drives himself and Jeanie, the only colleague who agrees with what he did. On this day, the worst of his medical career, Ross loses control of his Jeep on the icy road and crashes into a concrete bridge abutment.