Placido D'Andrea Died, 10 Others Injured After FDNY Truck Accident With Access-A-Ride Vehicle in Gravesend, Brooklyn
GRAVESEND, BROOKLYN (March 11, 2026) – A 78-year-old man identified as Placido D’Andrea was killed, and 10 other people were injured in a Gravesend, Brooklyn fire truck accident.
New York City officials are saying that the accident took place around 6:45 PM on Tuesday night. An FDNY fire truck was heading east on Avenue S when it collided with a commercial van.
The fire truck then collided with an Access-A-Ride van before hitting a Lexus. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help all of the victims.
Placido D’Andrea sustained serious injuries in the collision. Despite medical efforts, he was later pronounced dead. Another 10 people were transported to the hospital to receive treatment.
No arrests were made immediately after the crash. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for New York City Fire Truck Accidents
Fire truck operators are required to exercise a great deal of care to avoid causing accidents. This requires that they maintain a safe speed when not responding to any emergency. According to NY Veh & Traf L § 1180, “No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.” Fire truck drivers should take several measures to avoid collisions.
- Horn: Fire truck drivers should continuously use their horns to alert pedestrians and other drivers of their presence.
- Left Turns: Fire truck drivers should check their blind spots before making any turns at an intersection.
- Speed: Fire truck drivers should slow down in areas with heavy traffic.
- Maintenance: Fire truck drivers must ensure that their vehicles are periodically inspected and well maintained.
Determining liability for any fire truck accident can be difficult and depends heavily on whether or not the truck was being used for an emergency purpose. When a fire truck is being used for an emergency purpose with its lights and sirens on, its drivers will typically have a great deal of immunity from civil claims in the event of a crash. However, a fire department can be liable for a fire truck accident if their drivers acted with reckless disregard for the safety of the public.
Steps to Take After New York City Fire Truck Accidents
Many people are seriously injured or killed every year in accidents with fire trucks. According to the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, “Firetruck crashes, occurring at a rate of approximately 30,000 crashes per year, have potentially dire consequences for the vehicle occupants and for the community if the firetruck was traveling to provide emergency services.” It is vital that certain measures are taken after any New York City fire truck accident.
- Treatment: Seeking medical treatment should be the first priority after any collision. In many cases, even seemingly minor injuries can turn out to be more serious.
- Surveillance Footage: Any surveillance footage that may have captured the accident should be sought. This can help reveal who could be liable for a crash.
- Eyewitnesses: All parties that witnessed the collision should be interviewed. Their testimony can be important in several different ways.
- Legal Review: Any person affected by a New York City fire truck accident should carefully consider their legal options. Victims of truck accidents are protected by a number of laws.
Accidents involving fire trucks are often very preventable. They tend to involve situations where truck drivers are not properly scanning the road ahead of them. But liability for any collision could extend beyond any one driver. Multiple drivers could be liable for any collision. Any person injured in a fire truck accident may be able to pursue some measure of accountability through a civil action. This right also extends to the surviving family member of any person who dies in a collision.
Investigating New York City Fire Truck Accident
We at Richmond Vona extend our deepest condolences to the family of Placido D’Andrea. It is our sincere hope that all of the other victims will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Many different questions remain unanswered.
Do you need more information about a Queens fire truck accident? Our team of accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to helping accident victims understand their legal rights and holding NYC and all of its agencies fully accountable for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at 716-500-5678.
