Tot Killed in Fire Truck Crash

Authorities identify child slain

A pickup truck driver involved in a crash with a Trenton Fire Department truck that left a 3-year-old girl dead and another child seriously injured has received three motor vehicle citations and may face more charges.

Authorities said William N. Parks, 67, of Willingboro was driving with a suspended license when his pickup and the Fire Department truck -- which was headed to a call with its emergency lights and siren activated -- collided shortly after 7 p.m. Friday in the area of Route 129 and Hamilton Avenue, near the Sovereign Bank Arena.

At the time of the crash, the fire truck was southbound on Route 129 and was headed to a motor vehicle accident on the northbound side of the highway, near Route 1 north.

Pedro Medina, a Trenton police spokesman, said Saturday that the fire truck was attempting to make a U-turn when Parks, who also was southbound, tried to pass it while driving in the left lane. After the collision, Parks lost control of his pickup and it struck a metal light post, severing it at the base.

The pickup's front end then struck the girl, Imaya Moreland of Trenton, and others who were in the highway's center median. Moreland was pronounced dead a short time later, while the other child, 3-year-old Armanti Martinez of Trenton, suffered fractures in both legs.

Parks sustained minor back and knee injuries, while firefighter Ronald D. Hubscher Jr., 46 -- who was driving the fire truck -- sustained a sprained wrist and firefighter Florensio Santos, 45, had a minor neck injury.

Medina said Parks was charged with driving with a suspended license, causing injury and failure to yield to an authorized emergency vehicle. Medina said the crash remained under investigation, adding that Parks could face further charges.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us