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Iowa firefighter hospitalized after apparatus crash with farming vehicle

The driver of the farming vehicle fled the scene and was later arrested by police, admitting to officers that he consumed whiskey prior to driving

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Two Durant Fire Department apparatus were dispatched and en route to a call when 31-year-old Kent Reimers, who was driving a farming vehicle, crashed into the lead fire truck carrying five crewmembers, The Muscatine Journal reported.

Photo/Wilton Fire/EMS

By Rachel Engel

DURANT, Iowa — A Durant firefighter was seriously injured in an apparatus crash on Monday night.

Two Durant Fire Department apparatus were dispatched and en route to a call when 31-year-old Kent Reimers, who was driving a farming vehicle, crashed into the lead fire truck carrying five crewmembers, The Muscatine Journal reported.

Firefighter Matt Fisher was seriously injured in the crash and was transported to Genesis Medical Center before being airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospital.

https://www.facebook.com/deb.hoganlorenz/posts/10222965255893216

Reimers reportedly fled the scene and returned to his home. When police located him, he admitted to drinking whiskey before driving his vehicle, and subsequently failed two out of three field sobriety tests.

Reimers was charged with Operating While Intoxicated, as well as with leaving the scene of an injury accident and failure to provide aid/information.

In a social post, Fisher’s aunt, Deb Hogan Lorenz said he had just finished his first surgery to repair his left leg that required placing a large pin. Fisher is expected to require additional surgeries.

The Durant Police Department, Durant Ambulance, Walcott Police Department, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol assisted at the scene.

The incident is under investigation.