By Laura French
MORGANTON, N.C. — A North Carolina firefighter was struck by the open door of a reversing truck while responding to a report that the driver was unresponsive.
Brendletown Fire and Rescue Lt. Ray Thomas was checking on the driver, Jacob Larkin White, who seemed to be sleeping in his truck outside Brendletown Fire Station 2, when White said he was going to leave and allegedly started backing up without giving Thomas a chance to get out of the way, according to The News Herald.
Thomas was clipped by the open door of the vehicle, and officials say the truck also damaged a pole and other property while leaving the parking lot.
White reportedly left the scene and was soon after apprehended by North Carolina State Highway Patrol. He was arrested and charged with felony assault on emergency personnel, and cited for unsafe movement in a parking lot and leaving the scene of an accident.
When asked by reporters if he wanted to apologize to the lieutenant, White said he did not, adding, “I think he caused me a problem. I wasn’t doing nothing but minding my business,” according to The News Herald.
Officials said Thomas sustained minimal injuries in the incident and that the truck caused about $1,000 to $1,500 of damage to fire station property. White’s bond was set at $3,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.