DETROIT – One woman has been sent to the hospital, and a Detroit firefighter has been placed on unpaid leave after a fire truck got into an accident Wednesday morning.
That accident happened this morning at 9:15 a.m. while a crew was responding to a fire on Richton Street in Detroit.
Local 4 has been told that lights and sirens were on, at least. But the investigation into what caused the crash is top priority.
“The fire department. We want to respond in the quickest, safest manner possible. And you know, there are times that we do get an accident, but for the most part, our drivers are very experienced. They’re very careful,” said Detroit Executive Fire Commissioner Charles Simms.
Simms says the accident that occurred on Wednesday morning (June 11) near Chicago Boulevard and Dexter Avenue is something that wouldn’t usually happen nowadays.
“Don’t be shocked by this. We respond to over 400 emergency calls per day, and so just looking at the percentages there, it doesn’t happen that often,” Simms said.
While accidents involving Detroit fire trucks are down 20% compared to this time last year, in this situation, it’s the driver of the engine and a passenger of another vehicle who are injured.
Now, investigators are working to determine the factors that led to the crash.
“It’s still under investigation. I don’t want to presume anything until I get all the facts,” Simms said.
As of now, the firefighter behind the wheel has been placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Once we get the facts down, we’ll respond appropriately,” Simms said.
The woman injured is expected to be released soon.