Three Firefighters Injured After Driver Ignores Sirens
A reckless motorist has been charged after injuring three firefighters by cutting off their fire engine as it raced to an emergency call in Aurora, Colorado. The dramatic incident occurred on Thursday when Engine 7, a 40,000-pound vehicle, was responding with lights flashing and sirens blaring to a medical emergency.
The Moment of Impact
Footage released by the Aurora Police Department shows the critical moment the fire engine attempted a left-hand U-turn. A black Nissan, driven by 20-year-old Javohir Asrorov, was seen speeding up the left-hand lane, attempting to overtake traffic at the precise instant the large fire truck moved across the road. The Nissan clipped the front of the engine, causing a violent collision that spewed debris across the roadway.
The force of the impact sent three firefighters onboard to a local hospital with minor, non-life-threatening injuries. "The suddenness with which the fire engine came to a halt saw three firefighters transported to a local hospital," the fire department confirmed. "Thankfully, their injuries are not life-threatening."
Vehicle Damage and Driver Charges
Photographic evidence from the scene reveals the stark consequences for the Nissan. The car's driver-side door was completely shredded, with the outer panel peeled away to expose bare metal. The vehicle's airbags had deployed inside the mangled cabin.
In contrast, the robust fire engine sustained relatively minor damage, suffering mostly from scraped paint and minor panel damage. Police have summoned the driver, Javohir Asrorov, for multiple violations including:
- Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle
- Driving with no vehicle registration
- Driving with no insurance
A Stern Warning from Authorities
Both the Aurora Police and Fire Departments issued strong statements reminding motorists of their legal responsibilities. Colorado’s Move Over Law requires drivers to slow down and provide emergency vehicles with at least one lane of space whenever possible. Violations can lead to substantial fines and criminal citations.
"When you see lights and hear sirens, move over and stop," the Aurora Police Department stated. "Emergency lights mean someone needs help. Don't make it worse by getting in the way - or your car might end up looking like this one."
The Aurora Fire Department emphasised that their crew was operating correctly, stating the crash happened as they were "doing everything by the book." They added, "This is another reminder to please watch out, slow down, and move over for emergency vehicles."
