Firefighter injured in vehicular mishap
Published on June 25th, 2003
TONEHAM, MA - A 17 year-old Hill Street resident was arrested for driving with a revoked license after reportedly hitting a Stoneham firefighter in the middle of Central Street last Friday night.
Deena Bartos, 17, of 105 Hill Street, was arrested for operating a motor vehicle after license revocation following the near tragedy outside the Stoneham Fire Station at 10:22 p.m.
According to both Stoneham Police and Fire reports, Stoneham firefighter Dave Bettencourt was standing on Central Street following Engine One into the engine room as it backed its way in after an emergency call.
"He was out on the street directing the truck in, and was hit by a car traveling north on Central Street," said Stoneham Fire Chief Lawrence Lamey. "He didn't get seriously hurt, but he's nursing injuries to his left shoulder, elbow and hip. I'm just happy he's not more seriously hurt."
According to the Stoneham Fire accidental injury report, Captain Jim McLaughlin and other firefighters yelled to Bettencourt when they could plainly see that the Bartos-driven Nissan heading north-bound wasn't slowing to a stop.
"He did make a move (after hearing the yells), and I suppose if he didn't make that move he might have been run over and more seriously hurt...maybe even killed," said Lamey of the regrettable mishap.
The irony that Bettencourt was injured in front of the Stoneham Fire Station was not lost on Lamey.
"We have a standard operating procedure to have someone backing the truck in for safety reasons...but we're always in dangerous situations, it seems. These vehicles aren't Tonka toys."
Bettencourt was treated at the scene for hip, shoulder and elbow injuries, and was also treated and released from Melrose/Wakefield Hospital.
Bettencourt, according to Stoneham Fire Chief Lawrence Lamey, will "be off-duty for a bit to recover."
According to the police report, Bartos never saw Bettencourt before the collision took place.
"I did not see that man," said Bartos to Stoneham Police at the scene.
Stoneham Police officials did not cite Bartos for any vehicular charges following the accident.
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