Chesterfield Fire and EMS reminds drivers to move over for emergency vehicles

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Saturday, Oct. 19 marks National Move Over Day and Chesterfield County Fire and EMS wants to remind drivers about the importance of moving over one lane when encountering emergency vehicles on the road. In a Facebook post, Chesterfield Fire and EMS recalled a March 30 crash on Interstate 95 where a driver failed to move over for emergency vehicles with their flashing lights on. Just before 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, a county ladder truck was positioned to block traffic on I-95 South near the Willis Road exit due to an accident. Virginia State Police said the right lane and right shoulder were closed at the time and the truck had its lights on. However, an approaching 2019 GMC pickup reportedly changed lanes and struck the driver's side of the truck, according to state police. Fire officials said the vehicle was also driving at a high rate of speed. According to authorities, the driver of the vehicle then overcorrected after hitting the fire truck and struck another vehicle. A Chesterfield Fire & EMS ladder truck following a crash on Interstate 95 South on March 30. (Photo: Chesterfield Fire & EMS)The 2019 GMC pickup after it crashed into a Chesterfield Fire ladder truck. (Photo: Virginia State Police) Two firefighters, who state police said were inside of the truck at the time of the impact, were injured as a result. They were taken to a local hospital for minor injuries and were later released, according to fire officials. The driver of the GMC pickup and the driver of the third vehicle were also reportedly injured. According to state police, the driver of the GMC pickup was hit with five charges including failing to move over for an emergency vehicle and driving while intoxicated. In its Facebook post, Chesterfield Fire and EMS shared several photos of its firefighters to encourage drivers to move over one lane when encountering emergency vehicles responding to incidents on the road. Chesterfield County Fire and EMS firefighters. (Photo courtesy: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS)Chesterfield County Fire and EMS firefighters. (Photo courtesy: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS)Chesterfield County Fire and EMS firefighters. (Photo courtesy: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS)Chesterfield County Fire and EMS firefighters. (Photo courtesy: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS)Chesterfield County Fire and EMS firefighters. (Photo courtesy: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS)Chesterfield County Fire and EMS firefighters. (Photo courtesy: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS)Chesterfield County Fire and EMS firefighters. (Photo courtesy: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS) "These are the firefighters who work every day to protect you… and who have families at home waiting for them to return safely," Chesterfield Fire and EMS said in its Facebook post. "They are the reason why you should always move over one lane when you see emergency vehicles on the side of the road."

Oct 19, 2024 - 19:00

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CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Saturday, Oct. 19 marks National Move Over Day and Chesterfield County Fire and EMS wants to remind drivers about the importance of moving over one lane when encountering emergency vehicles on the road.

In a Facebook post, Chesterfield Fire and EMS recalled a March 30 crash on Interstate 95 where a driver failed to move over for emergency vehicles with their flashing lights on.

Just before 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, a county ladder truck was positioned to block traffic on I-95 South near the Willis Road exit due to an accident.

Virginia State Police said the right lane and right shoulder were closed at the time and the truck had its lights on.

However, an approaching 2019 GMC pickup reportedly changed lanes and struck the driver's side of the truck, according to state police. Fire officials said the vehicle was also driving at a high rate of speed.

According to authorities, the driver of the vehicle then overcorrected after hitting the fire truck and struck another vehicle.

A Chesterfield Fire & EMS ladder truck following a crash on Interstate 95 South on March 30. (Photo: Chesterfield Fire & EMS)

The 2019 GMC pickup after it crashed into a Chesterfield Fire ladder truck. (Photo: Virginia State Police)

Two firefighters, who state police said were inside of the truck at the time of the impact, were injured as a result. They were taken to a local hospital for minor injuries and were later released, according to fire officials.

The driver of the GMC pickup and the driver of the third vehicle were also reportedly injured.

According to state police, the driver of the GMC pickup was hit with five charges including failing to move over for an emergency vehicle and driving while intoxicated.

In its Facebook post, Chesterfield Fire and EMS shared several photos of its firefighters to encourage drivers to move over one lane when encountering emergency vehicles responding to incidents on the road.

Chesterfield County Fire and EMS firefighters. (Photo courtesy: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS)

"These are the firefighters who work every day to protect you… and who have families at home waiting for them to return safely," Chesterfield Fire and EMS said in its Facebook post. "They are the reason why you should always move over one lane when you see emergency vehicles on the side of the road."