Driver who hit firefighter facing several charges

ELMA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A firefighter was rushed to ECMC Tuesday night after being hit by a vehicle along Route 400.

There was slush on the road and it was slippery, but first responders say it was an accident that could have been avoided. Veteran firefighter Jimmy Stevenson from the Spring Brook Fire Company was responding to a minor two-vehicle injury accident scene on Route 400 south of Jamison Road when he was hit by a vehicle sometime around 8 p.m. Stevenson was one of the firefighters directing traffic. For an unknown reason, a car approaching the accident scene lost control. One firefighter jumped out of the way, but Stevenson was unable to and was hit.

Spring Brook Fire Company Chief Rich Dzubella said, "There were two guys directing traffic and the one guy jumped out of the way as he noticed the cones that the driver was hitting. We're out here doing this, volunteer, helping people out that we don't even know, I mean, it could be our neighbors, friends, or whatever, and to have this happen, it's just uncalled for."

The 21-year-old male driver of the car is facing several charges, including failing to move over. That charge is new as of January 1st because of the Ambrose-Searles Move Over Law. It requires drivers to move over and slow down while approaching an accident scene. You can learn more about the new law here.

"Even if you can't move over, you're supposed to slow down to a reasonable speed. This is what happens when you don't," said Chief Dzubella.

Stevenson is currently at ECMC with hip, leg and possible internal injuries. He is expected to make a full recovery, but firefighters say he is very lucky. The name of the driver has not been released.