Firefighter throws helmet to stop vehicle – women hurt – firefighter charged
A firefighter from the Pine Hill Volunteer Fire Department in Orangeburg, South Carolina is facing a criminal charge and on administrative leave after throwing his helmet at the windshield of a vehicle that wouldn’t stop at the scene of a motor vehicle accident. The unidentified 20-year-old firefighter was directing traffic at the scene. He is charged with malicious injury to personal property, a misdemeanor, and was released on $500 personal recognizance bond. Two women in the car hit by the helmet received minor injuries.
Gene Zaleski, The Times & Democrat:
“The member observed one vehicle that appeared not to be obeying the warning devices,” the fire district said in its statement.
“The member made three attempts to gain the driver’s attention. As the member was jumping out of the way of the approaching vehicle, the incident report states the helmet was removed and threw it toward the victim’s car,” the release said.
Orangeburg County Fire System Coordinator Gene Ball questioned the charge.
“When you are about to get run over, what are you going to do?” Ball said. “Over the last six months, I have seen people go around barriers and gone around roadblocks, not heeding red lights and firefighters dressed up in reflective gear. It greatly concerns us.”
