By Jim Peppard
WTSP.com
CLEARWATER, Fla. — A pedestrian died tonight when he was struck by a fire department SUV en route to a fire call, police said.
Johnny Matney, 41, of 103 N. Orangeview Avenue apparently walked into the path of an assistant chief’s Chevy Suburban and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a preliminary accident investigation report.
The suburban had its lights and siren activated and was en route to a kitchen fire in a house at 1661 Greanlea Drive.
The accident happened on Drew Street and Orangeview Avenue at 6:14 p.m.
Witnesses told police Matney walked into traffic for unknown reasons. He did not use a crosswalk and it was dusk at the time.
“Alcohol is believed to be a factor on the part of the pedestrian,” said public safety spokesperson Elizabeth Watts.
The driver of the SUV, Assistant Chief Marvin Pettingill, a 16-year veteran with Clearwater Fire & Rescue, said he did not see the pedestrian until right before the impact and was unable to avoid the collision. He was not injured.
Pettingill was on his way to the fire from Fire Station 45 when the accident occurred.
Republished with permission from WTSP.com