Toledo Fire Chief (FC) Larry Robeson and Assistant Fire Chief (AFC) Dave Inman were returning to Oregon with a recently purchased Rescue Rig. The Toledo Fire Department and the City of Toledo had recently purchased the Rescue Rig from Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus in Huntsville Alabama. Shortly after beginning their journey back home to Oregon, a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed collided with FC Robeson And AFC Inman’s vehicle. A third vehicle, a dodge pickup was also involved in the crash.
The three-vehicle crash took place about 6:45 a.m. Saturday on Alabama Highway 53 about three miles south of Ardmor near the Limestone Madison County line. Several area Fire Departments responded and provided care at the scene.
Both FC Robeson and AFC Inman suffered injuries and were taken to a local Level 1 Trauma Hospital. AFC Inman was treated and later released the same day with minor injuries. FC Robeson currently remains hospitalized in critical condition in the Trauma ICU in Alabama. The Rescue Rig was not in service at the time of the wreck.
The driver and occupants of the Dodge truck were not injured.
The driver of the car that struck the Toledo Fire Department rescue vehicle was, Jaquarius Lamon Smith, 25, and his passenger, Terrell Marquae Jolly, 30, both of Huntsville and were pronounced dead at the scene. They were not wearing seatbelts, according to Alabama State Troopers. It is unknown at this time if alcohol played a factor in the crash.
information from: Toledo Fire and Rescue