Spencer, NC — March 8, 2025, one person was injured following a fire truck accident that occurred at around 12:00 A.M. on I-85.

Authorities are investigating after a fire truck accident left one person injured in the early-morning hours of March 8th. According to official statements, a fire engine responded to a vehicle fire on I-85 near the Long Ferry Rd. exit and was in the process of tending to the fire when a passing vehicle struck the fire truck.

First responders found that an individual in the passing vehicle had sustained serious injuries and they were transported to the hospital for treatment. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including the status or identity of the injured person, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope investigators are carefully examining all possible factors that contributed to the incident. Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles are often involved in roadside crashes, particularly when responding to active incidents. While some might assume that this was simply a case of a driver not seeing the fire truck in time, experience has shown me that these types of accidents are often more complex. To fully understand what happened, three critical questions need to be addressed.

The first question is whether authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. Emergency scenes on highways create unique hazards, and it’s crucial to determine whether proper safety measures were in place. Was the fire truck positioned correctly with its emergency lights activated? Were there additional safety measures, such as cones or warning signs, to alert oncoming drivers? Investigators also need to consider the conditions at the time of the crash—was visibility reduced due to darkness, weather, or smoke from the vehicle fire? A comprehensive reconstruction will help establish what factors contributed to the collision.

The next question—one that is often overlooked—is whether a vehicle defect played a role in the crash. The vehicle that struck the fire truck may have experienced a mechanical failure, such as brake issues, steering problems, or an electronic failure that prevented the driver from slowing down or maintaining control. Given that emergency vehicles are designed to be highly visible, it would be worth determining whether the driver’s vehicle experienced a malfunction that made it difficult to react in time. Unfortunately, mechanical failures often go unexamined because people assume driver error is the primary cause. Preserving the vehicle for a forensic inspection is essential to rule out any defects.

The final question is whether all relevant electronic data has been collected. The vehicle’s electronic control module (ECM) may contain crucial information about speed, braking, and steering inputs in the moments leading up to the crash. Additionally, any available dashcam footage, traffic camera recordings, or surveillance video from the fire truck itself could provide valuable insight. Investigators should also consider whether cell phone records could shed light on whether distraction played a role. Collecting this evidence quickly is critical before it is lost or overwritten.

At the end of the day, getting answers to these questions isn’t just about understanding this crash—it’s about making sure those affected have the full picture. Serious crashes leave people searching for explanations, and the least we can do as a community is ensure that every possible factor is investigated so that no question is left unanswered.