The Associated Press
FAIRFIELD, Ohio — A firefighter who drove a ladder truck through a red light and struck a vehicle while en route to a fire has been found guilty in the death of the car's driver.
A Fairfield Municipal Court judge found Matthew Schumann, 24, guilty of a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter after Schumann pleaded no contest.
He sentenced Schumann to 90 days in jail but suspended that sentence. He also imposed two years of probation, a $750 fine, a 90-day suspension of Schumann's driver's license, 250 hours of community service and counseling until he is released by a doctor.
Schumann also was suspended from the fire department for 30 days, Fire Chief Don Bennett said.
The fire truck's lights and siren were activated when it collided last August with a car driven by Rayann Cavin, 73, Fairfield Law Director John Clemmons said.
A sound-activated device supposed to make the traffic light turn green for the firetruck and halt other traffic malfunctioned. But Schumann was still responsible for exercising caution in entering the intersection, Clemmons said.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
