In Aurora, Colorado, a shocking traffic incident unfolded on Thursday, resulting in injuries to three firefighters due to the reckless actions of a driver. It appears that the driver cut off a firetruck that was en route to an urgent medical emergency, causing a collision.
Engine 7, a firetruck engaged in the emergency response, had its lights flashing and sirens wailing as it attempted a left-hand U-turn. In a moment of negligence, a black Nissan raced up the left-hand lane, trying to overtake the flow of traffic exactly as the 40,000-pound firetruck moved across its path. This ill-timed maneuver resulted in the Nissan clipping the firetruck.
The impact of the collision was significant, scattering debris from both vehicles across the roadway. Unfortunately, the crash also led to three firefighters being taken to the hospital, although, thankfully, their injuries were reported to be minor.
Following the incident, authorities identified the driver of the Nissan as 20-year-old Javohir Asrorov. He now faces several charges, including failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, lacking registration, and driving without insurance.
The collision caused debris from both vehicles to spew out across the road, and to send three of the firefighters onboard to hospital with minor injuries.
Police identified the driver as 20-year-old Javohir Asrorov, who has been summoned for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, no registration, and no insurance.
‘The suddenness with which the fire engine came to a halt saw three firefighters transported to a local hospital,’ the department said. ‘Thankfully, their injuries are not life-threatening.’
Photos released by Aurora Police show the Nissan’s driver-side door shredded, with bare metal exposed where the outer panel was peeled away.
A 20-year-old Nissan driver (in the black car) cut off a fire engine that was rushing to an emergency call
Just as the fire engine was making a left turn, the Nissan driver was swiped
Inside the mangled car, airbags had deployed. The fire engine fared better — suffering only scraped paint and minor panel damage.
‘When you see lights and hear sirens, move over and stop,’ the Aurora Police Department said in a stern statement.
‘Emergency lights mean someone needs help. Don’t make it worse by getting in the way – or your car might end up looking like this one.’
‘The suddenness with which the fire engine came to a halt saw three firefighters transported to a local hospital,’ the department said. ‘Thankfully, their injuries are not life-threatening.’
The Aurora Fire Department echoed that plea, saying the crash happened as their crew was doing everything by the book.
‘At approximately 12:00pm Engine 7 was responding emergent to a medical emergency with lights and sirens activated when they were involved in an accident,’ the department said.
‘Engine 7 was making a U-turn when a driver continued driving and hit the front of the engine.
‘This is another reminder to please watch out, slow down, and move over for emergency vehicles.’
The 40,000lb fire engine fared better between the two vehicles with just a minor scrape
Photos released by Aurora Police show the Nissan’s driver-side door shredded, with bare metal exposed where the outer panel was peeled away
Aside from damage to the fire truck, debris littered the road
One of the truck’s side panel came off with some visible scrapes made to the paintwork
Some online users were appalled at the actions of the driver.
‘Slow down and move right to make way for emergency vehicles. It’s the law. It looks like the FD was trying to make a U-turn and didn’t have room for that turn without using the middle lane.
‘ I’m fine with that for emergency response. This is totally on the reckless car driver,’ wrote one.
‘Somebody’s house burned down because of that,’ another added bluntly.
Others suggested the fire truck might be at fault as it commenced its turn from the middle lane, rather than the left hand lane of the highway.
‘Is it legal to make a U turn from the middle lane??? Asking for a friend’, one user quipped.
Colorado’s Move Over Law requires motorists to slow down and give emergency vehicles at least one lane of space whenever possible.
Violations can result in hefty fines and, in cases like this, criminal citations.
