Shelby Fire Chief Says Ambulance in 23 Mile Crash Followed Protocols

The two firefighters and pickup truck driver involved in a traffic accident Sunday in Shelby Township have not suffered serious injuries, authorities say.

The accident, which involved an ambulance and pickup truck, took place at approximately 2 p.m. at the intersection of 23 Mile and Schoenherr roads.

The ambulance was on its way to an emergency call when it was broadsided by the pickup. 

“It’s one of those unfortunate situations,” said Fire Chief James Swinkowski. “All policies and procedures in place for responding and clearing an intersection were followed to a tee.” 

Swinkowski said the ambulance had cleared all but the right eastbound lane when the pickup hit.

"The pickup truck had the green light and the ambulance was inching across the intersection lane-by-lane," Swinkowski said. "There were big vehicles stopped and it got to the point where (the ambulance driver) could see the pickup and he could see them but it was too late."

The firefighters, along with the driver of the pickup, were transported to an area hospital and later released.

Swinkowski said the next closest fire station responded to the original emergency call and another unit was dispatched to the accident.

Police Chief Roland Woelkers said a preliminary investigation suggests that the pickup was at fault, which will likely result in a citation for that vehicle's driver.

One Patch reader asked, "Surely there must be some way to have all sides turn to red when an emergency vehicle approaches?"

While the technology to turn all traffic lights red as an emergency vehicle approaches does exist, Swinkowski said it is “really costly” and has not been discussed at length at the township or county level.