HAMMOND, IN – Hammond Firefighters found themselves facing a déjà vu Sunday morning after one of its firetrucks was hit by a passing driver.
The accident marks the second time in 13 months firefighters have felt have directly been involved with a motor vehicle crash themselves.
The engine, which runs over 2,000 calls annually, was responding to an incident on 80/94 Sunday when it was hit.
Just over a year ago, on July 23, 2022, members of Hammond Firefighters Local 556 narrowly escaped catastrophe when their fire engine was struck during an emergency response. This time, as they rushed to the scene of an incident, another vehicle, traveling at over 100 mph, collided with the engine. Remarkably, the three firefighters onboard emerged unscathed, a testament to their training and the sturdiness of their vehicle. In a twist of fate, the mangled fire engine likely shielded the lives of those involved in the incident ahead of them.
The reckless driver responsible for the accident fled the scene at the time and was later apprehended, ensuring accountability for this dangerous act. Although Sunday’s wreck was no where as serious, it did send one firefighter to the hospital to be check for non-life threatening injuries.
Hammond Firefighters Local 556 issued a plea for caution, emphasizing the importance of protecting both their equipment and the dedicated members who serve their community.
