Authorities are seeking information on a vehicle that Morris Township firefighters say cut them off last week, causing their fire truck to crash in Morristown.
Two firefighters were taken to Morristown Medical Center complaining of minor pain after the accident, which occurred at 9:36 pm on Feb. 21, 2017, on Lafayette Avenue between Morris Avenue and Malcolm Street, according to Morristown police.
The truck, driven by Township Firefighter Michael Zucker with Firefighter Brandon McCloskey aboard, crashed into a wooded area.
Zucker told police he was “responding to an emergency call when he was cut off by another vehicle,” forcing him to take evasive action to avoid a collision” with the vehicle, Morristown Police Lt. Stuart Greer said in a media statement.
Greer said he had no further details about the other vehicle or the emergency call. The fire engine sustained “significant damage.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Morristown police at 973-538-2200, or to call Morris County Crime-Stoppers (973-COP-CALL), where tips may be provided anonymously. The full statemebt from Morristown police is below.
UPDATE:
Both firemen were treated and released on the same night and cleared for duty, Township Administrator Tim Quinn said on Monday.
They had been responding to a medical call when the accident occurred, he said. Quinn said he did not have information about the speed of the fire truck. The accident remains under investigation by Morristown police, and also is being reviewed internally, he said.
The damaged fire truck probably was totaled, he said. It’s an older vehicle that was used as a reserve truck, filling in when the regular engine is down for maintenance, and it was due to be replaced this year, Quinn said. (The scheduled purchase of a new truck will move the regular engine into the reserve role, he explained.)
In the meantime, the fire department has another reserve truck, Quinn said.
FROM THE MORRISTOWN POLICE:
MORRIS TOWNSHIP FIRE ENGINE INVOLVED IN CRASH.
At approximately 1836 on Tuesday, February 21st, Morristown Police were dispatched to a reported motor vehicle crash involving a fire engine on Lafayette Avenue between Morris Avenue and Malcolm Street.
Upon arrival, officers determined that Engine 2 of the Collinsville Fire Company, Morris Township Fire Department, had left the roadway and crashed into a wooded area.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Morris Township Fire Fighter Michael Zucker, indicated that he had been responding to an emergency call when he was cut off by another vehicle. Fire Fighter Zucker advised that he was forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision with the vehicle and left the roadway as a result.
Fire Fighter Zucker and his passenger, Brandon McCloskey were transported to Morristown Medical Center complaining of minor pain. The Fire Engine suffered significant damage as a result of the collision.
The second vehicle involved in this incident was not identified and left the scene prior to police arrival. Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is requested to contact the Morristown Police Department at 973-538-2200.
Anonymous tips can also be provided through Morris County Crime-Stoppers by calling 973-COP-CALL or going to www.MorrisCrimeStoppers.org.
