Detached trailer driver charged after crashing into Chesterfield Fire engine while responding to fire
Oct 05, 2026
NOTE: This article has been updated to include new information.
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A detached trailer driver is facing charges after crashing into a Chesterfield County Fire and EMS engine while responding to a Monday morning fire.
Around 10:20 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 5, while leavin
g Fire Station 20 to respond to a structure fire call, a Chesterfield County Fire and EMS engine was hit by a trailer that detached from a dump truck and lost control on Courthouse Road.
The engine was stopped to make a right onto Courthouse Road with its lights on.
According to police, the dump truck pulling the trailer was headed south on Courthouse Road, stopping for the red light while leaving the station.
"The dump truck driver applied the brakes and the dump truck's rear wheels locked up causing the dump truck and trailer to jackknife," police said. "The trailer broke free from the dump truck and continued across the median and the northbound lanes of Courthouse before it struck the fire truck."
Crash involving Chesterfield County Fire and EMS engine on Oct. 5. (Photo: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS)
Fire officials said the emergency signal outside the station was activated and stopped traffic in both directions on Courthouse Road.
Police said the trailer's emergency brake was not connected to the dump truck, and the Virginia inspections on both the dump truck and trailer were expired.
The driver was charged with reckless driving, failure to maintain proper control of his vehicle and two counts of expired state inspection.
There were no reported injuries, though police continue to investigate the crash.
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