JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Freezing rain coated streets across the St. Louis region with ice overnight, resulting in several car accidents and ER trips for people attempting to traverse the dangerous conditions.
Even first responders were not immune from Mother Nature’s wrath, as videos recorded Monday morning show a fire truck from the Rock Community Fire Protection District spin out of control and nearly slam into homes in a Jefferson County subdivision.
The crash happened in the 1700 block of Parkside Place, just west of Imperial. Firefighters were responding to a crash in the neighborhood.
Neighbors Joe Lawson and Katelynn Voisey recorded videos of the fire truck losing traction on the slick, sloping road and turning a full 360 degrees before clipping a parked car. Fortunately, striking the car diverted the truck and kept it from smashing into a home at the bottom of the slope.
Instead, the truck glides across the driveway and comes to a rest in the grass between two homes.
Lawson could not believe what he was seeing.
“It was flying down the road here. I could tell they were not going to be able to stop,” he said. “They started spinning out right here and they smacked into the blue car that’s now in their yard.”
Voisey made the original 911 call after someone hit her car in her front yard. She also recorded a different video of the fire truck spinning.
“We woke up this morning to a loud crash. The blue car had hit the back of my car. Within about 15 minutes of calling for 911—because the car was lodged on top of a fire hydrant and the electrical box—so they came out pretty quickly,” she said. “Once we saw them at the top of the hill start sliding, we just alerted the people standing near to get out of the vehicle and come to the porch to safety.”
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Rock Community Fire Chief Kevin Wingbermuehle said it’s fortunate no one was injured.
“The truck that was responding, due to the inclement weather, lost traction as they crested a hill. When they lost control, the driver quickly reacted and tried through his capabilities to alleviate as much of the situation as he could,” he said. “And with his quick reaction, he was able to get the front end of the truck off of the roadway, which unfortunately caused a spin but ultimately prevented any substantial injuries to firefighters and residents.”
Both Lawson and Voisey shared their videos on social media. The terrifying fire truck slide has now gone viral.
“I was blown away. I was speechless, truly. It’s to be expected; you see a fire truck doing circles in the neighborhood. I’m thankful everyone is okay; that’s the most important part,” Lawson said.
