The Houston Chronicle
HOUSTON — Houston police will cite the ladder truck driver in Monday’s collision of two firetrucks.
Officials determined that Warren Ducote ran a red light, causing the crash that injured 11 people.
Both Houston Fire Department trucks were en route to what firefighters thought was a blaze but turned out to be a Houston public works crew smoke-testing sewer lines.
The Houston police investigation determined that Ducote ran a red light while headed northbound on Dunlavy and was broad-sided by a pumper truck westbound on Westheimer.
Investigators determined that the pumper truck had a green light, Houston Police Department spokesman Kese Smith said.
“The ladder truck driver will be found at fault for failure to use due caution,” Smith said.
Investigators interviewed the pumper truck driver, Brian Edwards, on Friday but have not interviewed Ducote.
Smith said the Westheimer Opticom, a device mounted at intersections to regulate traffic signals as emergency vehicles approach, gave the pumper truck a green light.
“The ladder truck proceeded through the intersection with a red light,” he said.
Leigh Boone, 29, remains hospitalized in critical condition with serious head injuries she sustained when the 40-ton ladder truck toppled and crushed her bike.
Edwards was in good condition Saturday at Memorial Hermann Hospital.
Capt. Michael Mayfield, a 34-year veteran of the Houston Fire Department, was listed in fair condition at Ben Taub General Hospital.