A PHOENIX, ARIZONA, FIRE ENGINE WAS INVOLVED IN a multi-vehicle crash Monday evening that left 13 people injured including two firefighters.
KNXV-TV
The engine was responding to a call around 6 pm Mountain time with its lights and siren on and while passing through a freeway interchange an automobile drove into the side of the pumper. The impact caused the firetruck to veer over into the oncoming lanes where it collided with about 8 or 9 vehicles that were stopped.
The fire captain was ejected from the truck and slammed into the pavement leaving her unconscious with critical injuries. The operater was also hospitalized along with the driver of the offending car and a fourth person. Nine other people were treated on the scene by paramedics.
Early police reports say that the 23-yr.-old woman driving the car struck the engine at a high rate of speed. Witnesses are saying that she ran a red light, but the police have not confirmed that information.
KNXV-TV has this video report from the scene:
STATter911 has more DETAILS HERE along with his usual Google Maps view of the complex intersection.
Update, 11 am Eastern:
Twelve hours after the wreck, the pumper was loaded onto a flatbed and hauled away from the crash scene. So far, no further findings from the accident investigation have been released. KTVK is reporting:
The firefighter who (was) hurt the worst reportedly was sitting in the front passenger seat. The force of the collision threw her from the truck. Crystal Rosati, a fire captain who has more than 20 years’ experience, suffered serious head trauma and was unconscious when she rushed to John C. Lincoln Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery. She reportedly remained in the ICU Tuesday morning.
KTVK also has eight video reports related to the accident HERE.
