By Scott Daugherty
The Capital
GALESVILLE, Md. — A fire engine from Calvert County sideswiped an Anne Arundel County ladder truck Sunday afternoon in Galesville, knocked it into two other cars and did not stop to offer assistance, according to two witnesses.
Anne Arundel police are still investigating what happened at about 4:15 p.m. at the intersection of Muddy Creek and Owensville roads, but officers said they believe a 24-year-old volunteer with the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department in northern Calvert County was at fault in the wreck.
Justin Mulcahy, a county police spokesman, said “charges are pending” against the driver.
The Capital is not naming the driver until charges are filed.
Fire Chief Toby Sealey of the Dunkirk volunteers said yesterday that the driver is not allowed behind the wheel of a firetruck until the police investigation is complete. He said the driver, who started driving firetrucks five years ago, is still allowed to ride on firetrucks and respond to emergencies, though.
No one was seriously injured in the crash, which took an Anne Arundel ladder truck out of service for the rest of the day, damaged two private vehicles and led at least one man to take himself to the hospital.
Green light
According to the police report, Firefighter James Russel Carey Jr., who started driving firetrucks for Anne Arundel in 1993, was driving Tower 40 south on Muddy Creek Road through the intersection of Owensville Road on a green light. While crossing the intersection, the county ladder truck was struck by an eastbound fire engine manned by the driver and four other Dunkirk volunteer firefighters.
The impact forced the county fire engine into a car and SUV that had stopped in the northbound lanes of Muddy Creek Road.
“I was waiting to see which one would go first, and they both came at the same time,” said Carlesa Williams, 43, a Laurel resident who had just left church before the firetruck hit her 2001 Lexus. “I just couldn’t believe it. I thought I was a goner.”
Gilbert Hall Jr. of West River said he was “blown away” when he saw the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire engine continue on to Galesville.
“They didn’t even stop to see if anyone was injured,” he said.
Hall took himself to Anne Arundel Medical Center in Parole after the wreck. He said he started to “stiffen up.”
Both said their cars were seriously damaged in the wreck.
Sirens on
Division Chief Michael Cox, an Anne Arundel County Fire Department spokesman, said both trucks had their emergency lights and sirens on at the time of the crash.
An Anne Arundel firetruck is supposed to stop and offer aide if it is involved in a traffic accident while responding to emergency, Cox said.
“We stop and check for injuries,” he said. “We remain on the scene.”
Sealey said he was not involved in the crash and did not know exactly what happened. He said he did not think his driver left the scene, however.
“I’ve heard the same thing,” Sealey said. “But my guys are saying ‘no.’ ”
He said all of the Dunkirk volunteer firefighters involved in the crash gave statements to police.
The county engine was back in service late Sunday night. Cox said the department was able to repair a bumper, door handle and grab handle with minimal effort.
Cox said yesterday the county Fire Department “enjoys excellent relationships” with all of the surrounding departments who help them on calls, including the volunteer departments in Calvert County.
“From time to time, operational issues do arise,” he said. “And when they do, the appropriate actions are taken to resolve any issues or differences that do exist.”
Republished with permission of The Capital