MASSILLON, Ohio May 06 2008-- A grandfather and his 4-year-old grandson were killed Tuesday morning when a fire truck responding to a call smashed into their vehicle. The grandfather, identified by a family member as Ronnie Anderson, 72, was taking the toddler to Head Start in Massillon, right across the street from where the horrific accident occurred.
Anderson was pronounced deceased at the scene.
That same family member identified the 4-year-old as Javarre J. Tate.
Tate was ejected from the vehicle upon impact. He was transported to Affinity Medical Center Doctor's Campus where he was pronounced deceased.
The collision on Tuesday happened near the intersection of Walnut Road and Johnson Street at 8:34 a.m.
Police and the coroner's office were almost immediately called to the scene.
Fox 8's Kevin Freeman reports that witnesses claim Tate was found lying in the street after being tossed from the mini-van.
Witnesses also claim that the firetruck -- with the other vehicle basically embedded to it -- came to a stop 260 feet from the point of impact.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol tells Fox 8 News that four firefighters were aboard the truck, all were transported to local medical facilities with minor injuries.
The driver of the fire truck was Susan Toles, 47, of Canton. The Massillon Police Department has requested the Ohio State Highway Patrol conduct a crash investigation due to the city fire truck's involvement.