An 80-year-old woman was killed Saturday when the car she was driving struck an El Paso Fire Department fire engine that was responding to an emergency in Central El Paso.
Her name has not been released, pending family notification. It was the 16th traffic death in El Paso this year.
Just before noon, firefighters were responding to an emergency call in the area when the woman's 2000 four-door Honda Civic struck the engine at Paisano and Trowbridge, police said.
The fire engine was traveling east on Trowbridge Drive, and the driver of the Honda was traveling north on Paisano Drive.
The engine had the green light and its lights and sirens were on when the driver of the Honda approached the intersection, police said.
The impact of the crash caused the woman to be thrown from the car, police said. She was the only occupant of the car.
She died at the scene from injuries.
El Paso Police Department spokesman Javier Sambrano said investigators think that the woman was not wearing a seat belt and that she failed to yield the right of way on a red light.
"We are still in the preliminary stages of the investigation," Sambrano said. "The officers are still collecting evidence."
Police blocked off Trowbridge from Paisano to Gateway West for several hours as they investigated.
Damage to the Honda was substantial, but the firetruck received only minor damage to its front bumper.
The police Special Traffic Investigations Unit is investigating the crash.
Fire department spokesman Fire Marshal Calvin Shanks said he would not comment until the investigation was finished.
"We are saddened by the unfortunate loss of life," Shanks said. "But I can't comment further until police complete their investigation."
The death was the second last week at Paisano and Trowbridge.
On Wednesday, a 76-year-old woman died after the car she was riding in was struck by a pickup. The driver of a Ford F-150 turned left at Trowbridge and into the path of a Volvo, police said.
The passenger in the Volvo, Herlinda Ballesteros, was taken to the University Medical Center for treatment but later died.
Officials advised all drivers to practice caution when entering any intersection and to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles.
Copyright 2012 - El Paso Times, Texas
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
