A James City County firefighter in a serious collision between a pumper and a septic truck.
Christopher D’Annibale, 32, was charged with reckless driving following the Dec. 31 crash, according to Williamsburg Yorktown Daily.
Police say the James City County Fire Department pumper went through a red light when it collided with the septic truck, which had a green light.
James City County Police spokeswoman Stephanie Williams told the newspaper that the fire apparatus had to “yield the right of way at traffic signals," even though its lights and sirens were activated while they were responding to a structure fire.
She said the intersection was equipped with an Opticom—a device that changes traffic signals to favor emergency vehicles—but the septic truck still had the green light.
The two occupants of the septic truck sustained serious injuries and two firefighter suffered minor injuries.
The "entire incident" is going to be reviewed by the fire department, Battalion Chief Al Catlett said.
“Obviously it’s a tragedy for all concerned, and we’re going to take a close look at everything we do and make sure everything is done properly," Catlett said.
D’Annibale was put on paid administrative leave.
