"Trucks can be fixed, people can't," Summerfield, NC, Fire Chief Said after Wreck

June 2, 2025

Two of the three Summerfield firefighters in the tanker were transported to a hospital for minor injuries.

"Trucks can be fixed, people can't."

That's what Summerfield Fire Chief Chris Johnson said after his tanker was involved in a wreck Saturday.

The firefighters, who had been involved in training drill, were headed back to the station when the crash occurred, Johnson told WXII.

"It didn't get up to speed out that much, and went around the curve. It felt like it kind of drifted off the edge of the road. And with all the rain that we've had, it got soft and just kind of pulled the truck on over into the ditch and then turned over on its side," the chief explained.

"I had another fire truck right behind them and saw what happened. They're the ones that called it in."

The firefighters suffered scrapes and bruises. Two were transported for treatment.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.