The Associated Press

WATERBURY, Conn. — There has been more fallout from the May 19 crash between two city fire trucks that killed a Waterbury firefighter.

Fire Chief Michael Maglione has placed the department's master mechanic on paid administrative leave. The action follows a police department investigation into the cause of the fatal crash that concluded the Bureau of Automotive Repair had significant shortcomings.

The report said mechanical failure was not a factor in the accident that killed Capt. John Keane, however police Superintendent Neil O'Leary concluded the bureau fell far short of department maintenance and record-keeping standards.

Master mechanic William DePalma was notified of Maglione's decision by courier Monday afternoon.

Among the findings of O'Leary's report was that Engine 12, a replacement vehicle in the fleet involved in the fatal accident, had not been thoroughly inspected in 14 months despite a department policy to examine all engines annually.

DePalma told investigators he had not planned to give the engine its full inspection until October.

After the accident, state inspectors found problems with the front and rear right brakes of the engine that should have taken it off the road under state Department of Transportation standards.

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A more comprehensive report from the fire chief is due on Mayor Michael J. Jarjura's desk in five weeks.