Crisp County Ga. Fire Apparatus vs. Tractor Trailor Fatal MVA -11/23/08

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Crisp County Ga Firetruck vs. Semi - 1 Dead ;Sunday, November 23, 2008- CRISP COUNTY, GA (WALB) - A pile of mangled metal is all that is left from this fatal collision as firefighters worked to clear a scene that injured one of their own. "We have some down power lines. Some cable lines are down. Stop signs were knocked down. Just about everything that was here was knocked down," said Georgia State Trooper, Brian Jobe.

35-year-old Shane Waters of Ohio was the driver of that tractor trailer and was killed in the crash. 47--year-old Tommy Hauesler was on his way to training when he collided into the trailer.

"I thought the truck was just going to explode because of the gas. We were just really scared," said Ann Renew. Renew lives on the corner of Highway 41 and Rockhouse Road and heard everything. "I was sleeping this morning when we heard a boom."

And she is surprised that anyone was able to come out of it alive. "Everything was on fire with black smoke. It was bad," said Renew.

This intersection is known in Crisp County for severe accidents. "We do have more accidents here than we should for there to be stop sign and a caution sign. And generally when we do have them, they are generally a bad accident," said Jobe.

"This is the worst place in Crisp County for a wreck. They need to put a stop sign there instead of a caution light," said Renew. But Georgia State Patrol says these accidents wouldn't happen if drivers follow the laws that were put in place to save their lives.

Crisp County firefighter Tommy Hauesler was transported to the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon this afternoon in guarded condition.

posted with permission of the secretlist @ firefighterclosecalls

Edited November 24, 2008 by markmets415

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Picture from the Cordele Dispatch

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An update, the trailer driver killed in this incident was also a volunteer firefighter.

That crash killed the driver of the semi and left a Crisp County Firefighter in critical condition. The semi-driver failed to yield the right of way at the intersection, which was marked with signage but also a flashing traffic light according to the cops.

But in a very tragic twist, the semi-driver who lost his life, Shane Waters, was also a very active Firefighter with the New Madison Volunteer FD in New Madison, OH. In addition, Shane, who had been recognized for his service on several occasions, was also an active member of Tri-Village Rescue (also in New Madison).

Our sincere condolences on the loss of Shane Waters and prayers for the fire apparatus driver, 47-year-old Firefighter Thomas Hauesler who was taken to Macon Medical Center and is in the intensive care unit.... Firefighter Hauesler suffered serious burns, 2 collapsed lungs, 2 broken shoulders & other wounds.

posted with permission from the secretlist @ firefighterclosecalls.com