Reports may tell why 2 Augusta firetrucks overturned in a week

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - “Locked up” brakes are getting the blame for both incidents in which an Augusta firetruck overturned in the past week.

The most recent incident happened just before 9:30 p.m. Saturday on Old Waynesboro Road at Neely Road. Tender 12 and Engine 12 were heading to a call when Tender 12 went off the left side of the road and overturned.

The firefighter driving the truck was taken to Augusta University Medical Center for evaluation and was later released.

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A hazardous materials crew contained a diesel fuel spill from the truck.

An accident report released Monday said Tender 12 was traveling south when the driver slowed due to the vehicle in front of him. The firetruck’s rear brakes locked up, causing the truck to veer off the road and turn onto its driver side.

The report says the driver of the firetruck “is at fault for failure to maintain lane.”

The wreck came just days after another Augusta firetruck overturned along the on-ramp to westbound Interstate 20 from Washington Road.

Ladder Truck 501 rolled over last Monday while responding to a commercial fire, Fire Chief Antonio Burden said.

Three firefighters were hurt, but were released from hospitals later that evening.

Also released Monday was an accident report on that wreck.

It says the firetruck was traveling west on Washington Road and the driver was attempting to make a left turn onto the westbound Interstate 20 on-ramp “and the brakes locked up.”

The firetruck began a slight counterclockwise rotation while making the left turn and struck the curbing and overturned onto the right side, according to the accident report.

An officer observed multiple tire marks indicating braking and slight rotation, according to the report.

The officer’s investigation determined the driver was traveling too fast for conditions, the angle of the turn and the weight distribution of the truck.

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