Pa. Firefighter Struck While Directing Traffic

A firefighter directing traffic at a hit-and-run crash at East Diamond Avenue and North Cedar Street in Hazleton became the victim of a hit-and-run Monday afternoon, city police said.

A vehicle driven by James Caso, 69, of West Hazleton, attempted to drive around a fire truck and was stopped by a firefighter who was directing traffic, as the Hazleton Fire Department had North Cedar Street temporarily blocked off for a crash, police said.

After being told the road was closed, Caso drove around the back of the fire truck, striking the firefighter with his vehicle, police said. He continued south on Cedar Street and stopped at a store to do shopping, police said.

Caso was identified, located and faces numerous charges in the 4:28 p.m. hit-and-run, police said.

The firefighter, who was not identified, suffered a leg injury and was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton for treatment, police said.

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