Drunk Driver Collides with Fire Rescue Truck

Responding to a medical emergency early Tuesday morning, a St. Pete Fire and Rescue truck was overturned after a car running a red light hit it. 

The driver of the car, 26-year-old Terry McFarland Jr., was charged with DUI and driving with a suspended license. 

According to St. Petersburg Police, at 2:25 a.m. Tuesday the fire rescue truck was proceeding north bound on 8th Street North while responding to a medical emergency.

The truck had its emergency equipment activated and was going through the intersection with the green light at 1st Avenue North.

At the same time, police said a west bound 2006 red Hyundai two-door sedan ran the red light at 8th Street and struck the right rear of the rescue truck, causing it to overturn onto its left side.

The two paramedics inside had to be extricated from the truck and were taken to a local hospital, where they were treated and released with minor injuries.

The driver of the Hyundai, Terry McFarland, was uninjured, but a male passenger in his car was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

According to police, during the subsequent investigation, officers determined that McFarland's license was suspended and that he was operating his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.