June 11, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Fire Department Vehicle Involved in Accident

An accident involving a Shreveport Fire Department emergency medical services (EMS) supervisor’s Chevy Suburban and another vehicle occurred this afternoon just after 12:00 noon. Captain Todd Cash, 41, and firefighter Chris Shamburger, 25, were traveling "code three," with warning lights and siren, along Bert Kouns in Southern Hills to the scene of a cardiac arrest at a nursing home when the accident occurred.

According to accounts at the scene, as Cash approached the intersection of Bert Kouns and Kingston Road, the two westbound lanes were backed up with traffic. Cash chose to proceed in the middle turn lane, which was clear through to the light. Approximately 200 feet from the light a late model Chevy Malibu, driven by Justin Williams, 21, of Nobel, pulled out from the Kingston Crossing shopping center, located on the north side of the street. He then crossed through an opening in the two lanes of westbound traffic in an attempt to turn left into the eastbound lanes of Bert Kouns. When Williams reached the inside of the westbound lane, he was motioned through by an unidentified woman. As he reached the center turn lane the two vehicles collided.

The Suburban sustained medium damage to the front end, while Williams’ vehicle sustained heavy damage to the rear door and I-beam on the driver’s side. The Malibu was spun halfway around to end up facing north in the middle of the eastbound lanes, while the Suburban remained in the middle passing lane, facing west. Rescue workers had to use the Jaws of Life in order to remove Williams from his vehicle. He was treated by department paramedics at the scene for moderate injuries and transported in stable condition to Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Cash, an 18-year department veteran, stated that when Williams’ car suddenly appeared before him, he knew of an imminent impact and steered his vehicle away from the front of the vehicle in an attempt to avoid or minimize injury to the driver. Cash and Shamburger were both taken by fire department officials, not ambulance, to Willis Kingston Medical Center for medical evaluation and routine screening.

Using the center passing lane when responding to an emergency scene does follow proper department procedures, provided all visual and audible warning devices are in operation and the driver was operating the vehicle in an otherwise safe manner. Which, in this instance, appears to be the case. A final ruling will be determined by the city’s accident review board and risk management office. ###