UPDATE: This article has been updated with the latest information provided by Virginia State Police.
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A man has been hit with several charges, including DUI, after crashing into a Chesterfield fire truck that was responding to another emergency on Interstate 95 Saturday night. Four people were injured in the crash, including two firefighters.
According to Chesterfield Fire & EMS, just before 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, a county ladder truck was positioned to block traffic on I-95 South near the Willis Road exit due to an accident.
Virginia State Police (VSP) said the right lane and right shoulder were closed at the time and the truck had its lights on.
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A Chesterfield Fire & EMS ladder truck following a crash on Interstate 95 South on March 30. (Photo: Chesterfield Fire & EMS) -
A Chesterfield Fire & EMS ladder truck following a crash on Interstate 95 South on March 30. (Photo: Virginia State Police) -
A Chesterfield Fire & EMS ladder truck following a crash on Interstate 95 South on March 30. (Photo: Virginia State Police)
An approaching 2019 GMC pickup, driven by 25-year-old Juan Sara Cruz, changed lanes and struck the driver’s side of the fire truck, according to VSP. Fire officials said Cruz was also driving at a high rate of speed.
According to VSP, Cruz overcorrected after hitting the fire truck, then struck another vehicle.
Two firefighters, who VSP said were inside of the truck at the time of the impact, were injured as a result. They were taken to a local hospital for minor injuries and have since been released, according to fire officials.
The highway had to be shut down in both directions for several hours as crews worked to tow away the heavily damaged fire truck.
Cruz and the driver of the third vehicle, who has not been identified, were also injured. Both have been hospitalized with injuries not considered life-threatening, according to VSP. Their condition beyond that is unknown at this time.
According to VSP, Cruz was hit with five charges: driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, failing to move over for an emergency vehicle, not having a valid license and not wearing a seatbelt.
VSP said it will provide further information when possible. This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.
