Van Slams into Pumper, SUV, Ambulance at NY Crash Scene

Syracuse, N.Y. — A fire truck and fire department SUV were struck by a van while on a call for a car that crashed into a business in Syracuse on Saturday.

At 10:59 a Toyota Rav 4 crashed into the front of a business at 2574 Erie Boulevard East, according to dispatches from the Onondaga County 911 Center.

Firefighters arrived on the scene parking their vehicles outside on Erie Boulevard and were inside the business, Leader Market, when they heard a crash outside, said Deputy Fire Chief Zachary Smith.

A white van hit the back of one of the fire department’s “minis,” an SUV that responds to calls. The SUV hit a fire truck. An AMR ambulance was also involved, Smith said.

The firefighters had been getting equipment out of the vehicles about 30 seconds before the crash, Smith said.

No firefighters were harmed. The driver of the van was taken to a hospital and the driver of the Rav 4 was treated for minor injuries, he said.

The fire department’s SUV is likely a loss, he said. The hood was popped up and the back of the vehicle was crumpled.

Firefighters on the scene were evaluating the fire truck for damage but it will be out of service for months, he said. The damage is “substantial” Smith said.

The front of the van had crumpled, revealing the inside of the car. The front windows of the store where the Rav4 drove into were taken out by the impact.

Smith said it was lucky no one was injured and said people need to pay attention while driving.

“We have families too,” he said. “We’d also like to be home for Christmas this year.”

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