Calif. Woman Injured When Car Hits Parked Fire Truck

RIALTO, Calif. -- A driver was injured early Monday when she hit a parked fire truck that was tending to a traffic collision.

The incident happened about 2:15 a.m. on the eastbound 10 Freeway at Riverside Avenue, said Tracey Martinez, public information officer for the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

San Bernardino County firefighters were on scene of a two-vehicle, non-injury traffic collision that was blocking the two lanes of freeway, Martinez said. The fire engine had its lights activated and was parked at an angle at the rear of the collision to block the vehicles from oncoming traffic.

As firefighters were returning to their vehicle, an unidentified woman driving a Hyundai Accent hit the right rear of the fire engine. Her vehicle became lodged under the fire engine and firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to free her.

The woman was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries, Martinez said. There were no other injuries reported.

"In this incident, it's a good thing we were parked where we were at," Martinez said about the firetruck. "That most likely saved the other people from being struck."

This crash is the second incident in less than a month where a driver has struck a fire engine already on scene of a collision, Martinez said.

On April 22nd, a man died when his vehicle collided with the back of a fire engine at the Oak Hills off-ramp of the northbound 15 Freeway. One firefighter who was still in the engine was injured.

Officials said the victim was speeding at the time of the crash.

In reaction to the recent collisions, fire officials are advising drivers to slow down and keep an eye out for emergency vehicles.

"People need to be more vigilant and use more caution," Martinez said. "Firefighters risk their lives every day to save others.

"These are the types of incidents that can be avoided."

Copyright 2012 - Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Calif.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service