Monday, November 24, 2008

Fire Truck Hit by 18-wheeler in Georgia


CORDELE -- A fiery crash involving a Crisp County Fire and Rescue truck took the life of an Ohio man and left a county firefighter in critical condition Saturday.
Tommy Hauesler of Cordele suffered multiple injuries including burns, two collapsed lungs, two broken shoulders and other wounds when the fire truck he was driving was struck by an 18-wheeler driven by Shane Alan Waters, age 33, of New Madison, Ohio. The collision occurred at approximately 8:45 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of U.S. Hwy 41 and Rockhouse Road.
According to Crisp County Fire Chief Ray Lunsford, Hauesler was driving north on U.S. 41 from the Arabi fire station on his way to a training session for county firefighters at CCFR Station 1 in Cordele when the wreck happened. Lunsford said he could tell from the skid marks left at the scene that Hauesler, who he described as "an excellent driver," was caught by surprise.
Troopers with Georgia State Patrol Post 30 that were on the scene said it appeared the driver of the 18-wheeler, who was heading west on Rockhouse Road, failed to yield the right of way at the intersection, which is marked not only with signage but also a flashing traffic light.

No comments: