Injured firefighter sues city over fatal truck crash

Saturday, August 25, 2007 12:22 AM EDT

WATERBURY -- An attorney for firefighter Joseph Fischetti filed paperwork with the City Clerk announcing his intention to sue the city for injuries he received in a fatal fire truck collision.

The claim laid out by Hartford attorney Jeffrey L. Polinsky is at odds with the accident investigation report released last week by Police Superintendent Neil O'Leary.

That report found that Fishcetti ran a red light at the intersection of Route 72 and East Aurora Street in violation of state law and Fire Department procedure.

Fischetti's claim is that William Mahony, the driver of the other fire truck involved in the collision, was at fault.

"Truck 1 operated by William Mahony was traveling too fast for the conditions, failed to slow or stop at the intersection to ensure that he was clear before proceeding," Polinsky wrote.

Polinsky was not available for comment.

Fischetti was ejected from Engine 12 in the collision that killed Capt. John Keane and suffered fractures to both hips, his ribs, neck and back as well as traumatic brain injury.

Investigators determined that Fischetti and Keane were not wearing seat belts and that was the primary reason for the seriousness of their injuries.