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RANDLEMAN N.C. – The Level Cross Fire Department is reporting one of their apparatuses was involved in a vehicle collision earlier today.
Initial reports indicate that Around 6pm a fire truck from the Level Cross Fire Department, which we believe was responding to assist the Randleman Fire Department with a house fire, was involved in a vehicle collision at the intersection of 220 Bus North and New Salem Rd.
In a post on Facebook Level Cross FD Chief David Ridgeway said that all parties involved were okay and that the department would not be able to provide any further information until all information is gathered and an investigation is complete.
The crash investigation will be handled by the NC State Highway Patrol, who as of the time of this initial post was still on scene investigating the incident.
UPDATE 6/11/23 12AM – Late tonight, the North Carolina Highway Patrol has released preliminary information following their on-scene investigation of the accident.
According to a press release from the Highway Patrol, 18-year-old James Jackson Luther of Randleman was stopped at the stop sign on New Salem Road at the intersection of 220 Business. Troopers say Luther attempted to make a left hand turn on US 220 South but failed to yield the right of way to an on-coming fire truck from the Level Cross Fire Department which was responding to an emergency call at the time.
Luther swerved to avoid colliding with the fire truck and traveled off the roadway. The driver of the fire truck, identified as Jason Long, trying to avoid striking Luther, braked hard, lost control of the vehicle, and traveled off the roadway to the right, striking a utility pole, causing the truck to overturn on its left side and hit an additional pole.
Long sustained minor injuries and was transported to Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro for evaluation.
Luther was uninjured and has been charged with a yield violation related to the crash.
All lanes of US Highway 220 Business at New Salem Road are closed. The N.C. Department of Transportation has established a detour and motorists are encouraged to avoid the area until the roadway is re-opened.
NOTE FROM THE NEWS DESK – NC DOT’s Traffic Information System advises that US 220 Bus at New Salem Rd reopened at 9:25pm on 6/10/23.
According to the Level Cross Fire Department, the condition of the truck is unknow currently as they are awaiting an evaluation from insurance.
This is a developing story, and more information will be posted as it is made available.
UPDATE 6/12/23 8PM – Today Chief Ridgeway of the Level Cross Fire Department issued a statement via a Facebook post regarding the accident over the weekend.
Anytime a vehicle accident occurs it causes damage physically, financially, and emotionally. With the accident of 434 it has taken a huge impact on our agency. We are down a piece of apparatus, which lowers the amount of available water. We housed 3 trucks that carried 1000 gallons, now we are down to 2. We have damaged equipment that will have to be tested and repaired. The cost of a new apparatus in 2023 is much more expensive than in 1997 when 434 was built. The driver was an experienced driver who has many miles and hours behind the wheel. Please yield to emergency services, turn down the music a little, be less distracted. Not all agencies who have suffered an apparatus incident were fortunate, some have lost their lives. Please pay attention, responding to calls is the most dangerous part of our jobs.”
Chief Ridgeway – Level Cross Fire Department