According to a report from WSB-TV2, a fire engine overturned on GA 3 in Gordon County Monday afternoon while the firefighter driving the vehicle attempted to avoid an accident with an alleged drunk driver. Troopers from Georgia State Patrol responded to the scene near Soldiers Pathway shortly after 2 PM, December 26, to find a crashed fire engine, and a firefighter suffering from minor injuries. Their investigation revealed that the fire truck was traveling south in the left lane of the roadway when a silver Dodge van that had been traveling north turned in front of the fire truck. The firefighter swerved to avoid hitting the van and overturned as a result of the sudden maneuver. In the meantime, the van fled the scene.

Investigators were able to obtain the van’s license plate number from surveillance footage taken by a nearby gas station, which enabled them to make contact with the driver. The driver was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and other traffic infractions. The firefighter who had been driving the fire truck was transported to the hospital, and there were no other passengers in the vehicle.

Alcohol impairment creates deficits to the skills that a driver needs to safely operate a vehicle, including the ability to make safe driving decisions in order to protect other roadway users from harm. Fire engines, like other large, long, and tall vehicles, tend to have a high center of gravity that makes them more prone to rolling over during emergency driving maneuvers.

Were you injured in a traffic accident caused by a drunk driver? If so, an experienced car accident attorney from Cambre & Associates can help you understand the personal injury claims process, which can be used to seek compensation for the financial and psychological costs of your injury. Contact us for a free case evaluation.