Driver injures firefighter at downed power line scene in Detroit

DETROIT (FOX 2) – Detroit firefighters were on the scene of a downed power line across the street following a hit-and-run accident when a speeding driver pulled down a pole and injured one of the first responders.

“I have an injured firefighter who has been transported to the hospital,” said Dave Miller, chief of the Fourth Battalion, DFD.

It happened shortly after 1am on Monday involving power lines running through Greenfield near Midland.

Fortunately, that woman, the firefighter who was injured, is expected to be okay.

Lolita Loggins lives nearby – she heard the first crash – saw the firefighters and DTE Energy repair the broken wires. She says she still saw the cars driving through the scene.

“The cars just kept going – they didn’t stop – there were about four fire trucks – they didn’t stop at all,” she said.

“Apparently a car sped through the scene, snagging the wire, pulling the broken pole down further and knocking down some of our personnel,” Miller said.

Loggins saw them go down.

“(I said) ‘Where did the pole come from? Is there anyone under the pole?’ and I (saw) him kneeling,” she said. “I said what happened and the car kept moving.”

The car didn’t stop.

“One of the fire ladies – I think she got caught by one of the hot wires – I think one of her feet got caught by one of the hot wires – because she was jumping too – so it was dangerous,” said Loggins.

First responders already have such dangerous jobs, if you see them on the scene, slow down, move around and let them do their job, Miller says.

“It’s critical to stay away,” he said. “When you see the flashing lights, it indicates an emergency situation. We want our drivers to remember to slow down when they see flashing lights and get out of the way.”

Anyone with information: Contact Detroit police at 313-267-4600.