Two Indianapolis firefighters were struck by a driver while responding to a vehicle accident on I-65 early Saturday, wrtv.com reported.
According to the Indianapolis Fire Department, the firefighters were helping people get out of a vehicle that had run off the interstate and into a grassy area near mile marker 117. IFD was wrapping up its duties and waiting for state police to arrive at the scene when the firefighters were struck.
The following is a report posted by Indianapolis Fire Department on its Facebook page:
Per Indiana State Police: 30-year-old Christino Rodrigo Alva of Pueblo, Mexico, was arrested for this incident and has been preliminary charged with the following:
- Operating while intoxicated resulting in serious bodily injury — a Level 5 Felony
- Operating while intoxicated endangering a person — a Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating while intoxicated with a BAC at or above .15 — a Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating without ever having received a license — a Class C Misdemeanor
4:08 AM – Early this morning two Indianapolis Fire Department firefighters were struck by a vehicle while mitigating an incident on I65 SB at 38th Street. The firefighters, wrapping up from their original dispatch, and awaiting Indiana State Police arrival, were hit, when a 30-year-old male driver plowed through the incident scene.
IFD Ladder 30 was in the far right lane, positioned at an angle to block oncoming traffic. They were assisting the occupants of a car that landed in the grass just off the interstate. IFD Engine 30 was assisting the occupants of the 2nd vehicle a few hundred feet south of Ladder 30. Both apparatus had emergency lights activated. Firefighters say the driver came through the scene – between the Ladder and the car in the grass – speeding along the gravel berm. The two firefighters were standing at the front edge of the ladder and struck about bumper level. The hit sent one of the firefighters airborne. While he landed clear of the vehicle – the other was pinned beneath the front of the car. Firefighters on scene were able to remove him and begin trauma care. They immediately radioed dispatch and requested additional resources.
The ladder itself sustained a broken windshield and some cosmetic damage.
Both of the firefighters were transported to Eskenazi – trauma alert. One firefighter sustained minor injuries and was checked and released. He will recover at home and remain under supervision.
The second firefighter sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries and was admitted to Eskenazi. He was alert and oriented on arrival at the hospital and is under excellent medical care.
Indiana State Police (ISP) are investigating. The 30-year-old driver was taken into custody. Alcohol and speed are being investigated as possible factors in the cause of the incident.
