Driver fined heavily for collision with Del City Fire Department ladder truck

DEL CITY, Okla. (KFOR) — A driver is paying a hefty fine after colliding into the back of a Del City Fire Department ladder truck with its flashing lights on while working the scene of another crash on Thursday morning.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the crash happened on the westbound lanes of I-40 at Scott Street in Del City.

The ladder truck was said to be blocking the lane of another crash that emergency crews were already on scene for when the driver smacked right into the back of the truck. No firefighters were injured as a result of the crash.

OHP says that 30 seconds before the driver hit the emergency vehicle, a Del City officer had been parked right behind the truck.

The driver was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, but did receive a ticket for failure to slow down or change lanes for a stationary vehicle displaying flashing lights, resulting in a $1,244 fine. They also received tickets for an illegal paper tag and for having no insurance.

"We do not take it lightly when writing a ticket for that amount but this crash could have had deadly consequences," said the Oklahoma Highway Patrol on social media. "When you see flashing lights, move over or slow down. It’s the law and it protects our first responders who are working to help others."