CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md. (WUSA9) -- A violent collision between a van and a Prince George's County fire engine critically injured a driver and closed the Inner Loop of the Capital Beltway for several hours.
A work van rammed into the back of a Ritchie Volunteer Fire Department engine at the scene of an earlier crash on southbound I-495 at Ritchie Marlboro Road around 11:00 Thursday night, according to tweets from Mark Brady, spokesman for the Prince George's County Fire Department. Brady said the engine was being used to protect the rescue squad and ambulance at the scene of the first crash, involving one person with a minor injury who required transportation to the hospital, when it was hit.
"With the engine positioned for barrier protection 2 of the 5 firefighters dismounted to determine whether any additional hands would be needed on the incident. Just after they dismounted, a van struck the rear end of the engine," according to Brady.
The driver of the van was trapped but crews at the scene were able to extricate him. He suffered critical injuries and was transported to a trauma center. Brady told us he remains in critical, but stable condition.
Three members on the engine suffered minor injuries and were treated and released from a hospital, said Brady.
As for the fire engine, it sustained significant damage. The 1989 Seagrave will be inspected to see if it can be repaired. According to Brady, "A new fire engine if purchased today carries a price of somewhere between $600,000 up to $800,000."
The investigation and clean-up closed the Inner Loop for hours, but reopened around 3:15 a.m.
Brady said this isn't the first time apparatus working a similar assignment at a crash scene has been hit. Two similar incidents occurred within a month of each other in the fall of 2012.
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