White Mills, PA, Firefighter Charged with DUI after Tanker Crash Injures Child
Driving under the influence charges have been filed against the firefighter driving a tanker that crashed last month, injuring a child who was riding along.
White Mills Firefighter Shane Farrell also was charged with recklessly endangering a person in connection with the wreck that occurred while he responding to a house fire.
After the rig veered off the road and hit a utility pole, a family member took Farrell and the four-year-old girl to a hospital before EMS and Pennsylvania State Police arrived, WNEP reported.
A trooper who went to the hospital saw the child had a laceration on her hand and the firefighter had a head injury. A breathalyzer showed Farrell’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit.
A hearing is set for February.
On Tuesday, White Mills fire officials issued a statement: "Let us be absolutely clear: the White Mills Fire Department does not condone drinking and driving under any circumstances. We also strictly prohibit minors from riding in department vehicles or being present at emergency scenes. These actions are a serious violation of our policies, our training, and the trust placed in us by the community we serve.
We understand the anger, disappointment, and concern this incident has caused within our community. We share those feelings. As a volunteer organization that has proudly served this great community since 1911, our mission has always been centered on safety, responsibility, and service. This incident does not reflect the values or standards of the White Mills Fire Department.
Disciplinary action has been taken against the member involved, and additional steps are actively being implemented to ensure that an incident like this can never happen again. This includes reviewing and strengthening our policies, training, and oversight procedures."
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Susan Nicol
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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.