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The SUV carrying a Boston fire chief from District 9 crashed into a stone wall at St. Andrew’s Church in Jamaica Plain yesterday after getting hit by another vehicle as it responded to a call. (Jim Davis/ Globe Staff) |
Fire chief, 3 others injured in crash
Car heading to blaze hit 911 vehicle, police say
A man was apparently rushing to his fiance’s home in Jamaica Plain after hearing it was on fire when he crashed into one of the Boston Fire Department vehicles responding to the call yesterday afternoon, injuring four people, including himself, police said.
The 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe sport utility vehicle used by the District 9 fire chief had its lights flashing and siren wailing when a 1998 Audi driven by Victor Cowart of South Boston ran a red light at the intersection of Amory and Atherton streets and struck the SUV at about 4 p.m., according to police.
Both vehicles were rushing to 309 Chestnut Ave. when the crash occurred. Four people, including the District 9 fire chief and his driver, along with Cowart and a young child in a car seat in his vehicle, were injured. Steve MacDonald, a Boston Fire Department spokesman, said all injuries appeared to be minor.
The reported fire was later determined to be nothing more than smoke from overcooked food, but both vehicles were seriously damaged. Cowart was cited for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle and faces a $100 fine, according to a police report provided to the Globe.
In the police report, the fire chief, whose name was not released, told police that Cowart ran a red light at the intersection.
The firefighters were taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Cowart and the child were taken to Boston Medical Center for evaluation.
The Tahoe, known as Car 9, is based at a fire station at 1870 Columbus Ave.
MacDonald said the SUV was traveling behind a fire truck when the crash took place.
It always carries the district chief on duty.
Boston Police and the Boston Fire public safety chief are investigating the crash.
John M. Guilfoil can be reached at jguilfoil@globe.com 
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
