Civilian killed, FF injured in Indianapolis apparatus crash

By Laura French

INDIANAPOLIS — A 71-year-old woman was killed and a firefighter was injured when an SUV collided with an Indianapolis fire engine on Sunday.

The Indianapolis Fire Department reported in a statement on Facebook that the collision occurred at an intersection while the engine was responding to a possible residential fire Sunday morning.

Fire officials said the SUV became affixed to the engine’s windshield and traveled about 100 feet before detaching and sliding another 100 feet. Glass from the windshield was strewn in the interior of the engine as a result of the crash.

The driver of the SUV was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to the Indianapolis Star. A firefighter was cut in the face by shards of glass from the windshield and was transported to another hospital.

The engine sustained significant damage to its front and side, and equipment was also damaged, according to the Indianapolis Fire Department.

https://www.facebook.com/indianapolisfiredepartment/posts/3512459638772538?__cft__[0]=AZUTL_POPDMvbqiSMJjb7MddlBMtdGYlRfU508V2F1wjyjZyr5CASlqKS-HomPFO8agPkzv-RwURmBpt7xBBEtdncX8T3UAzh1rY9aDq2SOj0XUouIwSbAIyDWRzg1U1nGwzi4HRaV5mtIvw9_xENxahlgv7A1VLKVj-TSyhZFDb5w&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Sunday’s crash was the second in two days involving a responding Indianapolis fire engine. The first crash, which occurred on Saturday, damaged the engine and four other vehicles but did not result in any injuries, according to the department. Fire officials said the engineer’s quick actions when the collision was imminent prevented injuries in Saturday’s crash.

The department’s Peer Support team was activated to assist the firefighters affected by both incidents.

The Indianapolis Police Department is investigating the fatal crash.