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1 Dead, 11 Injured in Crash Involving FDNY Fire Truck
Fire truck collided with van, causing chain-reaction crash in Brooklyn
Published on Mar. 11, 2026
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A 78-year-old man was killed and 11 people were injured, including five firefighters, after an FDNY fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a commercial van, causing a chain-reaction crash involving two other vehicles in Brooklyn.
Why it matters
Crashes involving emergency vehicles responding to calls are a serious public safety concern, raising questions about intersection safety, emergency vehicle protocols, and the need to balance rapid response with public protection.
The details
The fire truck was heading east on Avenue S with its lights on when it was struck by the driver of a commercial van heading north on W. 11th St. in Gravesend. The collision sent the fire truck careening into an Access-a-Ride bus, which then slammed into a Lexus SUV.
- The incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2026.
The players
FDNY
The New York City Fire Department, which was responding to an emergency call with one of its fire trucks when the crash occurred.
Frontier HVAC
A heating company located in Bensonhurst, whose commercial van was involved in the crash.
Michael Liu
The owner of Frontier HVAC, who confirmed that his driver was injured and the van was destroyed in the crash.
What they’re saying
“My driver is in the hospital. My van had a green light and the firefighter's had a red. The firefighter's truck was going very fast.”
— Michael Liu, Owner, Frontier HVAC (New York Daily News)
What’s next
Authorities will investigate the cause of the crash and determine if any charges will be filed against the drivers involved.
The takeaway
This tragic incident highlights the risks and challenges faced by emergency responders and the public when fire trucks and other first responder vehicles are rushing to the scene of an emergency, underscoring the need for improved intersection safety and protocols to protect all road users.
