Stoneham Fire Truck Wins Battles With Mercedes

STONEHAM, MA — An unlicensed driver from Wakefield crashing his Mercedes into a Stoneham fire engine Sunday, local authorities said.

Stoneham Fire Chief Matthew Grafton and Police Chief James McIntyre report that at about 1:50 p.m., police reported to Pond Street for a crash. An officer found that a 2011 C300 Mercedes was traveling north on Pond Street when it crossed the double yellow line and struck a 2016 Seagrave Stoneham Fire engine. The fire engine was responding to a medical call on Campbell Road and had its lights on.

The driver of the Mercedes, a 44-year-old Wakefield man, hit the front corner of the truck, scraped alongside tit, then struck it a second time near the rear wheel. (Subscribe to Stoneham Patch or like us on Facebook for more local news!)

The Wakefield man declined medical attention at the scene, and no firefighters were injured.

Firefighter Thomas DeCroteau was driving the fire engine and evaded a head-on collision, Stoneham Police and Fire said.

"I want to praise Firefighter DeCroteau for his alertness and quick actions," Grafton said. "This crash could have ended up a lot worse."

The Wakefield man will be summonsed to Woburn District Court for operating with a motor vehicle. He was also cited for obstructing an emergency vehicle and a marked lanes violation.

"This man put his life and the lives of others at risk by driving with a suspended license," Chief McIntyre said. "We’re thankful that no one was hurt."

The Mercedes, which sustained heavy front end damage, was towed away. The fire engine will be out of service for about a month after sustaining an estimated $30,000 in damage. The truck was purchased two years ago by the town for $625,000.

Photos courtesy of Stoneham Fire