Detroit Firefighter Under Investigation Following Crash: Reports

Detroit MI

26 February, 2021

10:22 AM

Description

DETROIT — The Detroit Fire Department is launching an internal investigation following reports that the firefighter behind the wheel of a fire engine that crashed into a vehicle while responding to an emergency call Sunday was driving with a blood-alcohol level exceeding the legal limit. The driver of the fire engine, who hasn't been identified other than officials saying he's 26 years old, has not been arrested but was immediately suspended, Detroit Fire Commissioner Eric Jones told The Detroit Free Press. The Detroit Police Department will be investigating the crash to determine if criminal charges are necessary, according to the Free Press. Fire crews were responding to a home in Detroit after reports that a woman was having a medical emergency, according to Channel 4. But when the fire engine arrived at the scene, family members said they heard a crashing noise and went outside to see the fire truck had crashed into one of the family member's vehicles. A dinner party was taking place at the Engine 50 building prior to the call, according to Fox 2. Jones told the Free Press that city police were dispatched after the fire engine crashed into the vehicle and gave the driver a drug and alcohol. "We learned that the firefighter in question was over the legal limit for blood alcohol. He was immediately suspended," Jones told the Free Press.