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Tampa Engine Company Stops Impaired Driver
DON GERMAISE
ABC Action News
Reprinted with Permission
TAMPA - The crew of Tampa Fire Rescue Engine 8 was driving up Interstate 275 Thursday morning, returning from a run, when Captain Jack Atkisson noticed a car weaving in and out of traffic.
Atkisson said the driver appeared to be impaired. "She pulled back over onto I-275 and almost sideswiped a truck," Atkisson said. "That's when I knew we had to do something to get her off the road."
Atkisson had his driver activate his light bar to get the driver to stop. "We flipped the lights and sure enough, they pulled over."
Atkisson had the dispatcher call Tampa Police, who determined the driver was under the influence of prescription drugs. Sabrina Damian went to jail.
Atkisson said he has had to run into burning buildings to save lives several times in his 20 year career, but this is the first time he may have saved someone's life by pulling her over on the highway.
Copyright 2010 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
ABC Action News
Reprinted with Permission
TAMPA - The crew of Tampa Fire Rescue Engine 8 was driving up Interstate 275 Thursday morning, returning from a run, when Captain Jack Atkisson noticed a car weaving in and out of traffic.
Atkisson said the driver appeared to be impaired. "She pulled back over onto I-275 and almost sideswiped a truck," Atkisson said. "That's when I knew we had to do something to get her off the road."
Atkisson had his driver activate his light bar to get the driver to stop. "We flipped the lights and sure enough, they pulled over."
Atkisson had the dispatcher call Tampa Police, who determined the driver was under the influence of prescription drugs. Sabrina Damian went to jail.
Atkisson said he has had to run into burning buildings to save lives several times in his 20 year career, but this is the first time he may have saved someone's life by pulling her over on the highway.
Copyright 2010 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by CHIEF NORMAN on
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Hey its always good to be recognized for saving a life no matter the situation at hand then it is to roll-up on someone taking a life because of ones stupidity...Good story job well done!!!
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Permalink Reply by Forsaken Firefighter on
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That is great.... I use to live about 10 minutes from there and I do not doubt that some one would be drunk that time of day. Now only if we could actually have the authority to do this if we feel it need to be done.
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Permalink Reply by Chief Dino on
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I agree. There have been lots of times I've wanted give some @$$hole a ticket for driving like an idiot. Personal pet peeve, not using turn signals.
TCSS
Shawn
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Permalink Reply by Firewriter on
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Argh!!! Lack of turn signal usage drives me nuts!! Even more so when those not using them are law enforcement!!
Excellent job Engine 8!!
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Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on
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YES GREAT JOB IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE BUT IN MOST LIKE TURN SIGNAL VIOLATIONS REMEMBER WE DON'T WANT POLICE INVOLVED IN OUR JOBS so aside from reporting those assholes we can't get involved
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I have a buddy on dispatch who I call to report these meatheads to. She loves it when I give her the car number! Just a little bit of payback for their being such pompous little sh*ts!!
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