Driver Arrested In Crash That Overturned Fire Rescue Truck
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HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) – The driver that allegedly caused a crash that injured six people, including himself, has been arrested.
Claude Casimir, still in the hospital, was arrested Friday early afternoon.
Investigators said Casimir was the driver of a silver sedan that caused the crash Thursday after he tried to speed off from a traffic stop. The car collided with a Broward Sheriff fire rescue truck which overturned from the impact.
"He's been cited ten prior times for traffic violations and has five previous suspension on his license," said Hollywood Police Chief Frank Fernandez.
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One firefighter was treated and released Thursday. Another was released Friday. One of Broward firefighters remains hospitalized. No word yet on the other two that were injured in the crash.
The impact sent one of the vehicles crashing into a fire hydrant.
Three fire fighters were trapped inside of the overturned truck.
Firefighter paramedic Lt. Tom Strok has the most serious injuries. He is suffering from cracked ribs and stitches in his face. He remains hospitalized.
"In my 30 years of doing this job, I haven't seen that significant amount of damage," said Fernandez.
Firefighter paramedic Mario Artze Ordialez who was riding in the back managed to get out of the vehicle and help his coworkers.
"It's my understanding that he used some of the tools to break glass in the driver's cab of the rescue truck and assist in extricating his two wounded colleagues," said Mike Jachles with BSO.
Melvin Smith was driving in the area when he saw the crash.
"I saw the car coming down the street, ran the stop sign, hit the ambulance," said Smith.
Smith told CBS4's Travell Eiland Thursday he gave police officers a wrench to break the trucks windshield so the fire fighters could be pulled from the truck.
Then witnesses noticed the three people were trapped inside of the car as well.
Investigators said the driver of the mangled silver sedan car caused the crash after he tried to speed off from a traffic stop.
All six people were rushed to the hospital, but all are expected to be okay.
The fire fighters suffered minor injuries to their chests and shoulders.
Hollywood Police have launched an investigation to determine why the man ran from a traffic stop.
