GARLAND (1080 KRLD) - Both a fire engine and a police patrol unit are out of service in Garland after two separate crashes on Interstate 635 … and police say the wrecks could have been avoided.
"We're just trying to do kind of a public service announcement for people to be more cautious," says Officer Matt Pesta, with the Garland Police Department. "If you're driving and you see flashing lights up ahead, slow down for us. Be a little bit more aware."
Over the weekend, the fire engine was struck from behind while assisting with an emergency on the interstate. Pesta says the firetruck had stopped at the scene of an accident and a driver barreled up from behind and crashed into it. A similar incident happened the very next day, when Garland police were assisting with a separate accident.
"All of a sudden, there's a pickup truck that comes barreling down," Pesta says. "He ended up striking the front end of our squad car."
Nobody was injured in either accident, but Pesta says the damage done to both the fire engine and patrol unit is extensive. Both are out of service for the foreseeable future.
"Texas enacted a law … called the Move Over, Slow Down Law," Pesta says. "In a nutshell, you're supposed to leave one full lane in between you and an emergency vehicle. If you're not able to do that … the law states that you must slow down 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. We're out here trying to help people. Help us help you."