Mini Cooper Soars 200-300 Feet After Colliding With Fire Truck
DENVER, Colo. (CBS4) - A driver was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a fire truck.
Police responded to the scene on eastbound Hampden Avenue at Dayton Street just after 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
"It was scary," said Juan Hernandez, who witnessed the crash.
Hernandez and his son Raymond were stopped at a light when they heard sirens blaring and saw lights flashing. The driver of a Mini Cooper apparently didn't notice the fire truck.
"She was coming at high speed and she never braked," said Juan Hernandez, about the driver of the Mini Cooper.
Police said the driver crossed Hampden and was hit by the oncoming fire truck, which was on its way to a medical call.
The driver's car soared about 200 to 300 feet upon impact.
"It was shocking," said Hernandez. "It was something like out of a video game."
Firefighters in the involved truck stopped to help the driver, who was trapped in her vehicle. The crew extricated her from her car and rushed her to the hospital with serious bodily injuries including a broken arm. No firefighters were injured.
Officials said the crash served as a reminder for drivers to pay attention behind the wheel.
"Making sure that as we're driving, we're not texting, we're not on the phone. We're making sure that we're aware of our surroundings," said Lt. Ahmid Nunn of the Denver Fire Department.
Drivers are asked to give emergency vehicles the right of way.
Investigators were expected to present evidence to the District Attorney's Office in the following days to determine if any charges would be filed.
Melissa Garcia has been reporting for CBS4 News since March 2014. Find her bio here, follow her on Twitter @MelissaGarciaTV, or send your story idea to mkgarcia@cbs.com.
