Wrong Way Driver Causes Accident

Interstate 40 -

On Friday, November 2, 2018 at 7:50 PM, Rescue Squad 51 was dispatched to Interstate 40 at the 66 mile marker for a motor vehicle accident involving multiple vehicles including a commercial vehicle. SQ 51 arrived to find a three vehicle collision; a semi with light damage to the trailer, a minivan with light damage to the passenger side and a passenger car with heavy damage to the passenger side. 

SQ 51 began to triage the scene, locating six patients for evaluation. After a quick evaluation of all the patients, a second ambulance was requested for a total of two patients for transport. Both patients were transported by ground to an area hospital with minor injuries.

The incident occurred after a commercial vehicle entered Interstate 40 west bound wrong way and attempted to turn around on the Interstate, causing two westbound vehicles to strike the tractor trailer. Interstate 40 westbound traffic was diverted to exit 66 (Blake Ranch Rd) while all travel lanes were closed during the incident.

Story by Battalion Chief Ron Hood | Pinion Pine Fire District

Photos by Firefighter David Menjivar | Pinion Pine Fire District

Commercial Vehicle Fire

Interstate 40 - 

On Saturday, October 27th at 6:45 pm, Pinion Pine firefighters were dispatched to a commercial vehicle fire on Interstate 40 at the 64 mile marker westbound which brought the response of Rescue Squad 51, Engine 511 and Engine 521.

Smoke showing

SQ 51 was the first arriving unit with a fully involved semi trailer and 1/4 vegetation fire. SQ 51 deployed an a wildland pre-connect and stopped the forward progress of the vegetation fire. E511 and E521 arrived on scene and deployed 1-3/4 CAFS pre-connects and obtained a quick knock down on the trailer, which was hauling plastic. Crew remained on scene and overhauled the trailer with the assistance of an ADOT front end loader.

No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported and one lane of travel was closed for roughly three hours while firefighters worked. The cause of the fire was undetermined.

Story By Battalion Chief Ron Hood | Pinion Pine Fire District

Photos by Pinion Pine Fire District

Fatal Accident on Highway 93

Highway 93 -

On December 23, 2015 at 10:26 PM, Pinion Pine Engine 523 and Rescue 525 were dispatched to a head on vehicle accident, pickup vs. semi on Highway 93 near mile marker 108 southbound. While responding, Engine 523 requested an air ambulance, Care Flight 14 out of Kingman airport was activated with a 20 minute ETA to the scene. Engine 523 arrived on the scene to find a semi on its side down an embankment and a pickup on the shoulder, on its roof with heavy damage. E523 crew began triaging three patients, two patients with minor injuries and a third victim still in the pickup who was deceased on arrival. E523 canceled Care Flight and Rescue 525 continued patient care. AMR transported both patients by ground to an area hospital in stable condition.

 

 



According to the passenger of the pickup, the vehicle he was in left the northbound lanes of travel for an unknown reason and crossed into oncoming traffic where it collided with a tractor trailer. The impact was hard enough to shear the bed of the pick up off of the cab. The official cause of the accident is being investigated by the Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol. Traffic control was provided by Arizona Department of Transportation and lane restrictions were present for roughly 4 hours.

Photos and Story by Captain Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Vehicle Accident Sends Two to the Hospital

Interstate 40 -

On October 14, 2015 around 9:20 pm, the Kingman Alarm Center began receiving multiple reports of a vehicle accident between mile markers 88 and 90 on Interstate 40 westbound which brought the response of Engine 513 and Chief 501. While in route, resources were advised per DPS, that extrication may be needed to remove one of the occupants from the vehicle. At this time, a care flight air ambulance was dispatched to the scene.



Engine 513 and Chief 501 arrived on scene to find a minivan on the shoulder with heavy damage to the front and front drivers side of the vehicle. Crews began patient care on two patients, one which was already out of the vehicle with lacerations to the arm and head. The second patient was in the vehicle, unconscious and unresponsive but was breathing adequately. Both patients were assessed, treated and transported to an area hospital by an AMR ground ambulance in stable condition with a fire department attendant. Extrication was not required to remove the patient from the vehicle.

For an unknown reason, the vehicle which was traveling westbound, struck the end cap of a median guardrail then traveled across both lanes of traffic and struck the guardrail on the shoulder. The cause of the accident is unknown and under investigation by the Arizona Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol. The Arizona Department of Transportation provided traffic control and the roadway was reduced to one lane of travel, with minor traffic delays initially.

Story by Captain Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photo by Firefighter Brett Nailor, Pinion Pine Fire District

Auto-Aid Vehicle Accident on Interstate 40

Interstate 40 -

On May 27, 2015 around 4:10 PM, Kingman alarm began receiving 911 calls for a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 40 near mile marker 58 westbound. Initial reports indicated a head on type collision with a semi and U-haul truck which brought a mutli-agency rescue assignment consisting of two engines, two rescues and two chief officers.

 

Pinion Pine Engine 523 was the first arriving unit and advised of a pickup truck on its side and a tractor trailer, both on the shoulder and blocking the slow lane with heavy damage. The balance arrived and crews began checking for injuries and mitigating a fuel leak. The occupant of the semi was uninjured and refused medical care while the driver of the pickup was treated on scene for minor injuries and transported by ground to Kingman Regional Medical Center. No other injuries were reported.

 

The accident is being investigated by the Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol, although the driver of the pickup stated for an unknown reason, his vehicle traveling eastbound left the roadway, traveled through the median and struck the side of the semi trailer, ripping the tandem set of wheels out from under the trailer. Resources during the incident included E221, R235, Battalion 2 and FP 4 from the City of Kingman, Pinion Pine resources included E523, R525 and C501. Arizona DPS and ADOT provided traffic control.

Article by Captain Ron Hood
Photos by Captain Gail Jackson

Semi Fire Causes Delays on Intertstate 40

Interstate 40 -

On May 20, 2015, around 8:48 AM, Pinion Pine firefighters were dispatched to mile marker 61 eastbound on Interstate 40 for a reported semi fire. This brought the response of one Engine and a Chief Officer. While in route, a large column was visible from Fire Station 52, at this time Battalion 5 requested a water tender from Kingman Fire Department. Once on scene, Battalion 5 advised of a semi on the shoulder roughly 50% involved with extension into the brush. A second Engine from Pinion Pine was dispatched while crews began fire operations as well as an engine from Kingman BLM. The fire was knocked down and a loader from the Arizona Department of Transportation overturned the vehicle to gain better access to the load on fire.

Truck load was strawberries

Crews remained on scene for roughly 2 hours to overhaul the fire, a Pinion Pine Rescue unit was dispatched for rehab and air support. During the incident, Interstate 40 was closed for roughly 45 minutes and reduced to the high speed lane for 3 hours once it was re-opened. The incident caused quiet the back up, extending over ten miles into the City of Kingman. The cause of the fire was undetermined, although the driver stated his refrigeration unit on the front of his trailer blew up and fire was everywhere. No injuries were reported during the incident.

 

This fire represents how invaluable our mutual aid agreements are with the City of Kingman as well as the other neighboring fire jurisdictions and we would like to acknowledge them for their assistance. These agreements allow us to maximize our manpower and provide for better public and firefighter safety when needed without taxing one organizations resources to its limits.

Agencies assisting on this incident included WT218 (Kingman), Battalion 2 (Kingman) and E3663 (Kingman BLM). Pinion Pine units included, E523, E521, R525 and Battalion 5. ADOT and DPS provided traffic control.

Article by Captain Ron Hood
Photos by Firefighter Sean Osterman

Motorcycle Accident Causes Delays on Interstate 40

Interstate 40 -

On May 9, 2015 at 3:52 PM, Pinion Pine firefighters received an alarm for a motorcycle down near mile post 88 (Willow Creek) on Interstate 40 westbound. While responding, additional information was received that the patient had suffered some sort of leg trauma and that a bystander had placed a tourniquet on the patient. Careflight was notified and placed on standby at this time. Once the first arriving DPS officer arrived on scene and made patient contact, he determined the helicopter would be activated to the scene. Engine 523 and AMR arrived on scene, finding the rider lying in the slow lane. It was noticed the patient had received significant trauma to their left leg. That patient was placed in full C-Spine and assessment began. Careflight arrived on scene and flight crew began managing the injury while the patient was packaged for flight.

 





The patient was flown to Flagstaff, Az. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time and is being investigated by the Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol. The patient did say they struck the end cap of a guardrail with their lower leg and was ejected from the bike. Traffic was reduced to one lane for roughly 2 hours while crews worked and the scene was cleared. Interstate 40 was closed briefly twice while the helicopter landed and lifted off.

Article and Photo by Captain Ron Hood

New Years Storm Creates Havok

New Years Winter Storm -

On New Years Eve morning, just as our wild winter storm began to dump inches of snow in our area, the calls began flooding into the Kingman 911Center. Ours began at 4:30 am, and continued throughout the day into the evening and into the following morning. When it was all said and done, Pinion Pine firefighters responded to 13 Motor vehicle accidents ranging from minor injuries to ejections as other area fire departments responded to dozens of accidents on Interstate 40, Highway 93, Highway 68 and within the city limits.

 

On January 1, 2015 at 2:55 in the morning, crews were dispatched to Highway 93 near mile marker 114 (Wikieup, Az) for a semi accident off the road. Crews arrived on scene to find a semi on the shoulder with the driver still inside the vehicle. The patient was removed from the vehicle and transported to an area hospital by ground.

Crews would get little relief, shortly after returning to quarters, E513 was dispatched to Highway 93 near mile marker 106 for a vehicle rollover. Crews treated one patient for minor injuries and was transported by ground to an area hospital. At this time, multiple calls began coming into 911. Next stop, mile marker 126 on Highway 93 for a vehicle that rolled multiple times down an embankment, roughly 100 ft with one ejected occupant. Crews arrived and treated 2 patients, one flown to Phoenix by Careflight and one by ground. 

Firefighters responded to two more vehicle accidents and encountered multiple slide offs while returning to quarters. This winter storm is one for the history books. Some parts of Mohave County saw snow that hasn't seen snow in almost 30 years or more. Many routes in our area were severely impacted, causing the closure of Interstate 40 at the Highway 93 south junction, Hualapai Mtn Rd and DW Ranch Rd.

Story by Captain Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Photos by Firefighter Brett Nailor, Pinion Pine Fire District

RV Fire on Interstate 40

Interstate 40 - 

On April 8, 2014 around 12:04 pm, E511, E521 and C501 were dispatched to Interstate 40 at the 62 mile marker eastbound for a reported RV on fire. Units arrived in roughly 10 minutes to find an RV fulling involved with a quarter acre brush fire. Crews deployed an 1-1/2 CAFS attack line an began suppression. Crews had the fire out in 22 minutes and continued overhauling both the vehicle and the brush.

 

The cause of the fire is unknown but the occupants believe it started in the engine compartment. Eastbound traffic was initially stopped while firefighting operations took place and was quickly opened to 1 lane of travel. No injuries were reported.

Story by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photos by Captain Gail Jackson, Firefighter Harry Doyle, Pinion Pine Fire District

Firefighters Battle Stubborn Semi Fire

Interstate 40 -

On February 6, 2014 around 7:30 pm, the Kingman Alarm Center received multiple reports of a semi on fire near the 74 mile marker on Interstate 40 westbound which brought the response of E511 and C501 from Fire Station 51 (fs51). Once C501 arrived on scene, he reported a semi trailer fully involved hauling chicken and tortillas. E511 arrived, deployed a CAFS attack line and began suppression and had the fire knocked down within 10 minutes.

Firefighters James Bevins and Harry Doyle attacking the fire just after arrival

Firefighters quickly realized the sides of the trailer beginning to fail, making it unsafe to work in or around the trailer. E521 from Fire Station 52 (fs52) was dispatched for manpower and to provide a water shuttle operation from the Petro Truck Stop at exit 66 on Interstate 40. Firefighters continued to apply CAFS to the load until ADOT arrived with a front end loader to overturn the trailer to allow firefighters to safely mop up any remaining heat. Crew were on scene for approximately 6 hours, making sure the scene was safe for wrecking company.

Firefighter Justin Escobar and Mike Schmidt continuing to cool the fire from a safe location awaiting ADOT loader

Westbound traffic was reduced to the high speed lane by the Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol and ADOT for the duration of the incident but did not cause any traffic backups or delays. Although the cause of the fire was undetermined, the driver stated his driver side trailer brakes caught fire. He discharged his on board fire extinguisher but was unable to put the fire out, which quickly spread into the trailer. No injuries were reported during the incident.

Article by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Photos by Captain Gail Jackson, Pinion Pine Fire District

One Killed, One Airlifted After Highway 93 Accident

Wikieup, Az -

At 2:16 pm on October 31, 2013, Pinion Pine Firefighters were dispatched to Highway 93 near the 117 mile marker northbound for what was reported as a serious injury accident with extrication needed. This brought the response of E521, R525 and C501 from fire station 52. While in route, additional information was given that one person had been ejected from the vehicle and a second patient was trapped in the vehicle. Guardian Air and Careflight were both activated due to level of injury and a response distance of nearly 40 miles. Units arrived on scene, finding a single vehicle that was roughly 60 ft down a hillside and 200 ft from the roadway that appeared to have rolled end over end numerous times. The passenger of the vehicle was ejected and was unfortunately deceased upon arrival and the driver of the vehicle was thrown into the passenger seat with neck and back pain. Firefighters removed the roof of the vehicle while AMR and flight crews took patient care. The patient was then transported to Las Vegas via helicopter.

 

 

 

The accident caused some traffic delays while aircraft was landing and taking off, and no other injuries were reported. The cause of the accident is unknown and is being investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol.

 

 

View Pinion Pine Fire District - 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

 

 

Lt. Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Photo by Capt. Gail Jackson, Pinion Pine Fire District