Driver hospitalized, arrested after crashing into Milwaukee fire engine near 13th and Layton
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- An investigation is underway after a crash that totaled a Milwaukee Fire Department engine and left a driver seriously injured Wednesday
Police say just after 2 a.m., a driver lost control and veered into oncoming traffic near 13th and Layton, colliding with the fire engine, which then caught fire.
Bryon Puzia works at a bar nearby. He says the bar called 911 for a person having a medical emergency. Fire Chief Aaron Lipski says the firefighters were returning from the medical emergency when they were hit by the driver.
“Never saw that," said Puzia. "Somehow they jumped not only the turn lane, but into the lane, and actually hit them head on.”
Chief Lipski says firefighters were forced to crawl out of the back of the engine. The fire department says the fire engine's durability was a significant factor in preventing serious injury or death to the crew.
“If they were in any other size vehicle, they’d have been killed," said Lipski.
The first responders then helped rescue the driver that was trapped inside the car. Shortly after, the fire truck caught on fire.
“The fire engine, there was a loud explosion noise was heard, and all of a sudden the cabin of the fire truck was on fire," said Lipski.
The driver of the vehicle, a 24-year-old man, was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to police. He was arrested on suspicion of operating while intoxicated. A 24-year-old passenger of the vehicle was also taken to a hospital for treatment of non-fatal injuries. Police say one of the occupants of the MFD engine suffered non-fatal injuries.
“Excessive alcohol use and getting behind the wheel of a car and then driving like a maniac through the city streets," said Lipski.
Lipski says firefighters should be able to help the city without having to worry about drivers on the road.
“We can’t function coherently, as a society, if we’re constantly on full alert waiting for the next irresponsible person to possibly kill us," said Lipski.
Criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.