By Derek Gentile
Berkshire Eagle
EGREMONT, Mass. — The State Police have ruled that the town was not at fault when a fire truck and car collided on Creamery Road in July.
The accident, which occurred in the wake of a heavy rainstorm, badly damaged the fire truck and injured a local firefighter, Ethan Hendrick.
Town administrative assistant Mary Brazie told the Board of Selectmen that the town’s insurance paid for repairs to the fire truck, which totaled about $130,000, and has also been paying for physical therapy to Hendrick’s right shoulder, which was injured in the mishap.
The accident put one of the town’s fire trucks out of commission, forcing the Fire Department to borrow a truck from a New Jersey fire company. The damaged truck is now back in service, said Brazie.
Also injured in the accident was Joseph Lewis of 72 Creamery Road. Lewis’ wife Bonnie said that her husband, who is retired, suffered several broken bones and the couple’s vehicle was demolished.
“He underwent physical therapy for quite a while,” she said of her husband. “He just finished up last week. He’s been in pain for some time.”
Brazie said yesterday that the town has been notified that its insurance carrier will be seeking to recoup the money spent on repairing the fire truck from the Lewis’ insurance carrier. She did not know how long that effort might take.
In addition, said Brazie, some town officials have suggested the town explore more strenuous action against the Lewis family, such as a lawsuit.
“To date, however, nothing has been filed,” said Brazie.
Bonnie Lewis said she witnessed the accident, which happened just outside the couples’ home, “and it looked to me like both sides were a little at fault.”
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