Yet another Oops in SA

January 3, 2008

Wheelchair-Bound-Woman/46$57720

San Brush Truck Strikes, Kills Wheelchair-Bound Woman

Updated: 01-02-2008 09:53:37 AM

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Story by KSAT.com

SAN ANTONIO --

A 32-year veteran of the San Fire Department is being kept from driving

after he struck and killed a wheelchair-bound woman Monday evening.

Diane Rosenbaum was riding her motorized wheelchair after leaving a nearby

pharmacy when she crossed paths with the departing fire vehicle.

The firefighter, whom fire officials have not identified, was behind the wheel

of a brush truck headed to a grass fire from station No. 44 on Horal Drive on

the city's west side.

The driver reportedly stopped at a Wells Fargo Bank parking lot at the

intersection of Marbach Road and Horal to ask for directions from his

dispatcher. When he departed, Rosenbaum was struck and briefly dragged.

The firefighter originally thought he had debris lodged under his vehicle, but

reportedly didn't see anything until he noticed sparks coming from underneath

the truck near Highway 90 and Loop 410.

When he stopped to check the vehicle, he found an empty wheelchair under the

vehicle. When he returned to the scene after hearing a dispatch call go out for

the victim, investigators said, he found the victim lying in the street.

The driver of the fire truck is unlikely to face any charges, a police

investigator said, but witnesses and the driver of the truck were taken to

police headquarters for further questioning.

" There's absolutely no probable cause or reason to believe this firefighter was

intoxicated in any way, again, just an accident, " San Police Sgt. Gabe

Trevino said.

SAFD District Chief Randy said the incident is under investigation.

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