VILLA RIDGE, MO (KMOX) - No Injuries reported after a fire pumper is hit from behind by a tractor trailer.
The following is a release from Fire Chief James Casey.
Fire District Pumper Struck by Tractor Trailer
Villa Ridge, MO - At 12:42pm, on January 25, 2026, the Boles Fire Protection District was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident involving several tractor trailers on Interstate 44.
As the first fire unit arrived on scene to assess for injuries and hazards, the 2nd arriving fire apparatus was directed to establish advanced warning, which provides a safety buffer between the accident scene and first responders who are focused on and mitigating the incident.
As the 2nd arriving apparatus was slowing to complete its stop, the fire truck was struck in the passenger rear of the fire truck. The two firefighters who were in the fire truck were seated with their seatbelts fastened. The single occupant in the tractor trailer was uninjured. The parties involved in the initial accident were also uninjured.
The fire apparatus, which is a 2022 Pierce Impel Rescue-Pumper, sustained heavy damage and will be out of service for a minimum of 6-8 months while repairs are made.
This is another stark reminder of the dangers of our profession and that it is imperative that when driving with adverse road conditions, drivers utilize extreme caution and increase their following distance. Additionally, drivers should adhere to Missouri’s Move Over Law which requires drivers to change lanes, if safe to do so, when approaching MoDOT vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, and any other emergency vehicle with lights flashing. If drivers can’t change lanes safely, they must slow down as they pass the emergency vehicles.
We thank the Missouri State Highway Patrol for assisting us with this incident.