Firefighter Struck by Vehicle in Hinesburg, Vt. – Urgent Response

URGENT UPDATE: A Hinesburg firefighter was struck by a vehicle on Thursday while responding to an emergency on Route 116, but thankfully, the injuries were not severe. This alarming incident unfolded when crews were dispatched to a report of a car that had crashed into a guardrail near Hollow Road, possibly with an unresponsive driver.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that the vehicle was moving again, prompting them to intervene. As a firefighter attempted to secure the car by placing a chock under a tire, the driver unexpectedly accelerated, hitting the firefighter before the chock could take effect.

Hinesburg Fire Chief Prescott Nadeau expressed his deep concern over the incident, stating, “It was probably one of the scarier things as a fire chief, because you’re watching your members, helplessly watching, as a many-thousand-pound vehicle accelerates forward. Had things been moments different, the outcome could have been far worse.”

The female driver was taken to the hospital for evaluation, but her identity and any potential charges remain undisclosed at this time. This incident raises critical questions about driver safety and emergency response protocols in Hinesburg.

Authorities are conducting an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the driver’s behavior. Residents are urged to remain cautious as more details emerge.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.