When one thinks about fire trucks at a motor vehicle accident scene it is usually in the context of assisting those who have been injured. Rarely does one think about a fire truck actually being involved in a car accident. Sadly, last week a fire truck was involved in a fatal car accident in South Middleton Township, Pennsylvania.

The fatal accident occurred one afternoon when a 70-year-old woman driving a minivan entered an intersection at the same time as a fire truck from Citizens Fire Co. of Mt. Holly Springs. The collision occurred where East Old York Road (Route 34) and Holly Pike (Route 174) cross. At the time, the fire truck was en route to an emergency call on Interstate 81. Accordingly, it had its sirens and lights on when the collision occurred.

As most drivers are aware, the law dictates that vehicles must yield to emergency vehicles like fire trucks when they are responding to a call. According to Pennsylvania's vehicle code however, emergency vehicles need to be aware of the surrounding cars and yield to them should they appear in their path.

All of the individuals involved in the accident were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision. Sadly, this did not save the woman driving the minivan. Despite the crew of the fire truck's efforts to tend to her injuries, the woman died.

The accident is being investigated by both the Cumberland County Coroner and the Pennsylvania State Police. Thus far the police have placed fault for the accident on the driver of the fire truck. He has been placed on administrative leave. It is currently unclear whether he will face any criminal charges. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: The Sentinel, "Police: Fire truck driver at fault in Thursday's fatal crash," Matt Ciccocioppo, Dec. 12, 2011