FLORIDA — A man was airlifted to a hospital Saturday night after a crash involving a Winter Haven fire truck left him critically injured, according to city officials.
A spokesperson for the city said the fire truck was returning to the fire station after responding to a call on Overlook Drive. As the truck was turning left onto Dundee Road with a green traffic signal, it was struck by a Mercedes traveling east on Dundee Road.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the driver of the Mercedes may have been impaired and speeding at the time of the crash. The impact caused severe damage to the car.
Three firefighters who were inside the fire truck were not injured. Authorities said they immediately began working to extricate the driver from the damaged vehicle. The man, who has not yet been identified, was airlifted from the scene with serious injuries. The sheriff’s office later reported that he is now in stable condition.
A second civilian vehicle was also involved in the crash. A black sedan sustained damage to the driver’s side, but its driver was not injured.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing and charges against the driver of the Mercedes are expected.
