KGW
Both the SUV and the fire truck were damaged in the crash.
Courtesy of KGW.comSANDY, Ore. — Four lanes of Highway 26 were shut down Wednesday night after two related accidents sent a firefighter, a motorcycle rider, and an SUV driver to the hospital. Firefighters were responding to a motorcycle accident near Sandy when an SUV slammed into the fire truck. The impact was so powerful it knocked the 45,000 pound truck onto two wheels. Other firefighters said they heard the crash from a mile away. “Its pretty traumatic, said Phil Schneider, with the Sandy Fire District. When you turn around and see one of your neighboring districts, it makes you sick to your stomach.” Volunteer firefighter Doug Liepold was transported to Mount Hood Medical Center with minor injuries. Authorities have not released details on his condition. The driver of the SUV was identified as 22-year-old Michelle Erickson of Portland. She was taken to Legacy Emanuel Hospital with serious injuries. The fire truck, stationed out of Boring, was seriously damaged. Boring Fire Chief Doug Branch was driving the fire truck. He was not injured. Witnesses said the fire truck had its emergency lights on when the accident occurred. A short time before the fire truck crashed, traffic slowed down suddenly to allow an ambulance to pass by and a motorcycle crashed because the driver couldnt slow down fast enough, police said. Details on the motorcycle drivers condition have not been released at this time.
