An accident involving a Wayne County Station 1 fire truck resulted in injuries to its three occupants, but thankfully, no other vehicles were involved.
On Monday, March 18, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Station 1 was dispatched to a call of a kitchen fire at a residence on Hurricane Creek Road. Matthew Patterson, Station 1 Fire Chief and Waynesboro City Police Officer, was driving the fire truck from Station 1 on Old Hog Creek Road to respond to the call. As the truck was approaching Highway 64 West from Old Hog Creek Road, Patterson later stated that the brakes failed, and he was unable to stop at the stop sign. As Patterson approached Highway 64 West, he attempted to make a right turn, but was unable to complete the turn and crashed into the embankment directly across the street.
The photo above shows just how far the very heavy fire truck drove into the embankment. Fire Chief Patterson was initially knocked unconscious and had to be extricated from the vehicle due to his legs and lower body being entrapped. He was transported by helicopter to Tri-Star Medical Center in Nashville for treatment of his injuries, which included a head laceration, a severe concussion, and a fractured vertebra in his lower back. Patterson is reportedly now at home recovering from his injuries.
The other firefighters in the truck at the time of the accident reportedly received minor injuries. Chris Robbins was transferred to Vanderbilt Medical Center by ambulance for treatment, including an orbital fracture in his face.
Joe Beavers received medical treatment for a head laceration resulting from being struck in the head by an air tank. Both Robbins and Beavers are reportedly recovering at home now as well.
It was later determined by the Waynesboro City Police that the initial report of a fire on Hurricane Creek Road was false.
