Driver Dies During Explosive Truck Vs. Ambulance Crash

A crash near Mansfield, Ohio, claimed the life of a truck driver yesterday when his rig struck an ambulance that was parked on the side of the road.

Ohio State Police say that the ambulance was stopped on the left shoulder to respond to an earlier rollover crash and did have its overhead light on when a truck headed westbound on U.S. 30 hit the right rear end corner of the ambulance. After the truck hit the ambulance, it swerved back across the westbound lanes and left the road on the right, heading into a wooded area.

Police say that after the truck went into the woods, there was an explosion. Witnesses say that after the first explosion, both fuel tanks caught fire. The truck was engulfed in flames. The Mifflin police captain and one other person say they tried to rescue the truck driver but were unable to get close enough after the fuel tanks blew up.

The 52-year-old truck driver, Anthony Fuerst, perished as a result of the crash.

Two EMTs were taken to the hospital as a precaution.

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the crash.

Sources:
WMFD
The Washington Times
WOSU