Firetruck Tragedy in Brooklyn

June 22, 2005
A firetruck responding to a call struck and seriously injured a Brooklyn motorcyclist last night.

June 22, 2005 -- A firetruck responding to a call struck and seriously injured a Brooklyn motorcyclist last night, police and fire officials said.

Jans Orillo was hit when he stopped short for the truck and fell off his bike, landing under the fire engine's wheel, said Deputy Fire Chief Mike Marrone

"The [motorcyclist] was thrown over the handlebars and landed under the rig. He was dragged about 20 feet," he said.

The truck, from Engine Co. 221, slowed down as it went through a red light at the intersection of Driggs Avenue and Broadway in Williamsburg, fire officials said.

It had its lights and sirens on and was blowing its horn while going to a small fire at a synagogue on Hooper Street, which was quickly put out.

Orillo's leg was mangled, witnesses said.

He was in serious condition at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, and was expected to survive, according to a hospital source.

Julie Altamirano, who lives nearby, said, "There were people screaming to the firefighters, 'Don't move! Don't move!'

"I was nervous because I thought he was dead."

Another witness said he heard Orillo shouting for help.

Orillo's roommate, Nicky Ryan, said she became concerned when he left her a message asking to met her later and never called back.

She said Orillo, who works in advertising, has "been riding for years and years."

She described him as "an expert rider."

Additional reporting by Ed Robinson

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