A tragic chain-reaction crash involving a firetruck left one man dead and more than a dozen people injured Tuesday evening in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn. Authorities say the chaotic collision unfolded during rush hour, turning a busy intersection into a scene of twisted vehicles and injured victims.
According to the New York City Police Department, the crash happened around 6:45 p.m. at the intersection of Avenue S and West 11th Street. Investigators say a firetruck from the Fire Department of the City of New York, commonly known as FDNY, was traveling eastbound on Avenue S with its emergency lights and sirens activated when it collided with a Ford Transit van.
The force of the impact sent the firetruck veering into the westbound lane of traffic. Police said the out-of-control truck then slammed into an Access-A-Ride coach bus. The violent crash triggered a chain reaction that caused the coach bus to strike a Lexus SUV nearby. Officials said the firetruck also crashed into two parked cars that were unoccupied before finally coming to a stop.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene and transported numerous victims to nearby hospitals. Authorities reported that six firefighters were taken for medical treatment, along with the 45-year-old driver of the Ford Transit van. Also hospitalized were the 31-year-old driver of the Access-A-Ride bus and three passengers riding on the bus. The 71-year-old driver of the Lexus SUV and his passenger were also injured and taken to a hospital for evaluation.
One of the passengers on the Access-A-Ride bus, a 78-year-old man, suffered critical injuries in the crash. He was transported to South Brooklyn Health, where doctors attempted to save his life. Sadly, the man later died from his injuries. Officials identified the victim as Placido Dandrea, who lived only a short distance from where the crash occurred.
Authorities said the remaining victims involved in the crash are currently listed in stable condition. The investigation remains ongoing as the NYPD works to determine the exact cause of the collision and which vehicle had the right of way at the time. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees Access-A-Ride services, referred questions about the incident to the police and fire departments while the investigation continues.
