The fire truck driver who had an accident with an ambulance pleaded guilty to careless driving at West Amwell Municipal Court on Wednesday, ending a year-long dispute.
Quakertown Fire Company driver John Schutts had to pay a $200 fine plus $30 in court costs. The conviction was given with “civil reservation,” meaning that Schutts’ guilty plea cannot be used as evidence in any civil case.
According to police, the fire company’s quick response truck driven by Schutts on Quakertown Road in September 2009 tried to pass a Quakertown Volunteer Emergency Medical Service ambulance driven by Peter Colby, as it was rounding a curve in a no-passing zone.
Colby “took evasive action,” police said at the time, and drove half into a ditch before pulling back onto the road.
Both vehicles had been answering “an urgent call… with serious injuries on Sidney Road” according to the police report.
After responding to that call, Colby and his passenger, Laurie Luster, were treated for minor injuries at Hunterdon Medical Center. Police filed no charges, but Colby signed a reckless driving charge against Schutts.
The case was transferred to the West Amwell court from North Hunterdon Municipal Court.
The Franklin Township Committee last December voted to remove QVEMS from providing emergency medical services in the township, and designated Quakertown Fire as the primary responder.
QVEMS now provides service to parts of Alexandria and Union townships.
