On Thursday afternoon, tragedy struck at the intersection of E SH71 EB and Presidential Blvd. when a sedan met a fire engine in a fatal collision, as reported by the City of Austin's official website. The Austin Fire Department (AFD) vehicle was in the throes of duty, responding to an emergency with lights flashing and sirens blaring when it collided with the civilian car.
The aftermath of the crash saw the firetruck's crew of four requiring medical evaluation, their injuries were thankfully minor they were soon released however, the passengers of the sedan were not so fortunate, where the collision had dire consequences, the passenger succumbing to injuries in hospital marking Austin's 10th fatal crash of the year resulting in 10 fatalities, according to the City of Austin. This incident, still shrouded in the early stages of an investigation, follows last year's trajectory of 12 fatal crashes resulting in 12 deaths by the same date.
Witnesses to the incident and those with information are encouraged to come forward to assist the Austin Police Department's (APD) Vehicular Homicide unit in piecing together the moments that led up to the collision. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program.
