MAY 16, 2015
TUCSON, AZ (TUCSON NEWS NOW)
A head-on collision this morning caused two midsize pickup
trucks to catch fire and sent both drivers to the hospital, according to an
eyewitness and the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
One driver had life-threatening injuries, while the other was in critical condition, a detective told reporter Cynthia Washington at the scene. He also said investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the crash, which happened at West Bopp Road and South Camino Verde.
Viewer Jerry Mason heard the crash and grabbed his camera before running outside.
"It sounded like a bomb going off," he said. By the time he reached the site, both trucks were engulfed in flames.
"A deputy was on scene pretty quick, and he did some amazing stuff," Mason said.
The deputy fought the smoke trying to get one of the truck doors open, he said.
Two deputies arrived on scene within quick succession of one another, said Deputy Tom Peine, a sheriff's department spokesman.
The first, Deputy Adrian Gallo, noticed a woman trapped in one of the trucks and tried to pry open the driver's door, inhaling smoke in the process, he said.
The second, Deputy Joe L. Serrano, arrived and suggested using the hook on the winch he has on his truck to pry open the door, which is what the men ended up doing, Peine said.
Afterward, another deputy drove Gallo to the hospital, where the doctors found he had bruising and muscle fatigue from trying to open the door himself.
Drivers are advised to avoid the area.
One driver had life-threatening injuries, while the other was in critical condition, a detective told reporter Cynthia Washington at the scene. He also said investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the crash, which happened at West Bopp Road and South Camino Verde.
Viewer Jerry Mason heard the crash and grabbed his camera before running outside.
"It sounded like a bomb going off," he said. By the time he reached the site, both trucks were engulfed in flames.
"A deputy was on scene pretty quick, and he did some amazing stuff," Mason said.
The deputy fought the smoke trying to get one of the truck doors open, he said.
Two deputies arrived on scene within quick succession of one another, said Deputy Tom Peine, a sheriff's department spokesman.
The first, Deputy Adrian Gallo, noticed a woman trapped in one of the trucks and tried to pry open the driver's door, inhaling smoke in the process, he said.
The second, Deputy Joe L. Serrano, arrived and suggested using the hook on the winch he has on his truck to pry open the door, which is what the men ended up doing, Peine said.
Afterward, another deputy drove Gallo to the hospital, where the doctors found he had bruising and muscle fatigue from trying to open the door himself.
Drivers are advised to avoid the area.