Photo courtesy of Vermilion Township Fire Department.
VERMILION TOWNSHIP — A driver was cited after striking a Vermilion Township Fire Department emergency vehicle late Tuesday night while crews were responding to a tree fire on U.S. Route 6.
According to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred around 11:03 p.m. on July 30 near the 11700 block of West Lake Road near Barnes Rd. The fire squad vehicle had been parked across both lanes with emergency lights activated for a lane closure caused by a tree that had been struck by lightning and caught fire.
The driver of a westbound Ford Fusion failed to stop and collided with the parked emergency vehicle, identified as Squad 813. No injuries were reported. The fire department ambulance sustained only minor damage in the crash, according to a photo provided by Vermilion Fire Department Chief Frank Triana.
The driver was cited for failing to maintain a safe stopping distance. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
The driver was transported to jail, and further legal proceedings may be pending.
Emergency personnel often work in low-light or high-traffic conditions where visibility is limited and reaction time is critical. Officials urge drivers to use extra caution when approaching emergency scenes, especially at night or in rural areas. Fire vehicles and ambulances are frequently positioned to protect responders from harm, but even with lights flashing, crashes like this remain a serious risk.
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate.
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