By FireRescue1 Staff
JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. — A firefighter was charged with reckless driving after failing to obey a red light while driving a fire truck and colliding with a septic truck, according to police.
WY Daily reported that firefighter Christopher D’Annibale was on his way to a structure fire on New Year’s Eve in the engine when he did not stop at a red light, resulting in a crash with a septic truck that injured four people, according to James City County Police spokesperson Stephanie Williams.
D’Annibale and another firefighter suffered minor injuries, while two people in the septic truck were severely injured.
Crews also spent five hours cleaning up 4,000 gallons of septic waste on the intersection as a result of the crash.
Williams said D’Annibale was charged because although the engine’s lights and sirens were activated, it is still required to “yield the right of way at traffic signals.”
D’Annibale was placed on administrative leave, and Battalion Chief Al Catlett said the incident is under internal review.
“Obviously it’s a tragedy for all concerned, and we’re going to take a close look at everything we do and make sure everything is done properly,” Chief Catlett said.
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