Driver of NY Fire Police Vehicle Injured in Rear-End Crash

The driver of a New York fire police vehicle was injured when he was struck from behind by an SUV while at the scene of a previous accident Wednesday.

The initial crash happened along Interstate 84 in Greenville, according to the New York State Police, which is investigating the incident. A Mountain View fire police Ford F550 had its emergency lights on and was stopped in the interstate's passing lane about a half-mile from the accident, with a fire apparatus ahead of it.

A 2020 Volvo SUV with a woman, a child and two dogs inside rear-ended the fire police vehicle. The crash caused the SUV flipping over and trapped the driver. 

While the child was able to escape the SUV without injury, firefighters worked to extricate the driver. Crews quickly put out a fire that started in the SUV's engine compartment and eventually were able to free the woman. 

Kevin Gillespie, the driver of the fire police vehicle, suffered a back injury and was taken to Orange Regional Medical Center. A passenger in the fire police vehicle was uninjured, according to the state police.

The driver of the SUV suffered injuries to her head, arms, legs and back, and she also was taken to Orange Regional Medical Center. One of the two dogs in the SUV was killed in the crash, the state police added.

New York State Police are investigating the accident.