Fire Rescue Struck By Car While Protecting Crews On I-91 Returns To Service

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — A Windsor Locks Fire Department rescue truck that was struck while protecting first responders on Interstate 91 has officially returned to service nearly three years after the crash.

In the early morning hours of January 4th, 2023, Windsor Locks firefighters and Windsor Locks Lions Ambulance were dispatched to a rollover crash on I-91 south near Exit 40. Fire apparatus were positioned in the roadway, with emergency lights and cones, to protect crews working at the scene, authorities said.

At approximately 4 a.m., a Ford Escape crashed into Rescue 4, pushing the heavy rescue truck about eight feet and causing significant damage, officials said. The truck was unoccupied at the time, and no firefighters were injured. The driver of the Ford Escape suffered minor injuries and was cited by Connecticut State Police.

Rescue 4 was rendered inoperable and removed from service, forcing the department to rely on mutual aid from surrounding towns for heavy rescue responses.

Now, nearly three years later, Rescue 4 has been rebuilt, re-equipped, and returned to service. Early Sunday morning, at about 3:30 a.m., the truck responded to its first call since the crash — once again on I-91 — with the same department member behind the wheel.

Fire officials say the crash is a powerful reminder to slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles stopped on the highway, as required by law.