Firefighters Injured On Way to a Call

The Carmine Fire Chief and another volunteer firefighter suffered injuries in a wreck on US 290 while responding to a fire call Sunday, Dec. 1.

The crash happened around 7 p.m. According to Capt. David Mohr of the Carmine Volunteer Fire Department, firefighters got a call to assist Washington County with a hay fire off FM 1697 near Burton.

“We had multiple units responding, including Chief Chris Carmean and Cody Wunderlich,” Mohr said. “The first grass truck was able to cross the intersection of US 290 and FM 390 with no problems.”

Carmean and Wunderlich were in the second truck, which got struck while turning onto FM 390.

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) investigated the crash. According to DPS Sgt. Justin Ruiz, the firetruck was heading eastbound on US 290 with lights and sirens on as it attempted to turn left on FM 390. Ruiz said traffic in the westbound inside lane had stopped for the firetruck. Ruiz said the driver of the firetruck thought the outside lane was open, but a Toyota Tacoma pickup was approaching. The Toyota struck the firetruck as it crossed the outside lane.

Washington County EMS transported Carmean, Wunderlich and the driver of the Toyota to Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Brenham with minor injuries. All three were released Sunday night, Ruiz said.

“DPS is investigating the accident,” Mohr said. “Our fire truck – one of our main grass trucks – is totaled though, as is the pickup truck. I am very thankful that it was only the truck we lost. People really need to give first responders the right of way during emergencies.”