Ohio FF charged in fatal MVA

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Posted on Sat, Sep. 23, 2006 

Firefighter charged in fatal accident

Associated Press

FAIRFIELD, Ohio - A firefighter has been charged in the death of a woman whose car was struck by a firetruck that allegedly went through a red light at about 58 mph en route to a fire.

Matthew Schumann, 24, was charged Friday with misdemeanor counts of vehicular manslaughter and failure to exercise due care when operating a public safety vehicle at a stop signal.

The 1999 Buick driven by Rayann Cavin, 73, of Fairfield, was struck broadside by a ladder truck driven by Schumann on Aug. 3, police said. She died three hours later.

If convicted, Schumann faces up to three months in jail and a $750 fine on the vehicular manslaughter charge, and up to one month in jail and $250 in fines on the failure to exercise due care charge. He must appear in Fairfield Municipal Court on Oct. 4.

Officials have said that a sound-activated device that was supposed to make the traffic light turn green for the firetruck malfunctioned.

Schumann has been a part-time firefighter and paramedic in Fairfield Township for four years. He has been a full-time firefighter in Fairfield since May.

Ohio law says drivers of emergency vehicles are supposed to slow down at a red light, but don't have to adhere to the speed limit. The law also says motorists must yield to emergency vehicles.

A message seeking comment was left Saturday night at a residential phone number listed under Schumann's name in Fairfield.

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Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.com