Fredericksburg firefighter hit by car while responding to vehicle fire

Date published: 9/1/2006

City firefighter injured while responding to call

A Fredericksburg firefighter was taken to Mary Washington Hospital yesterday morning after he was hit by a car while responding to a vehicle fire on Fall Hill Avenue.

Firefighters responded to the call just after 8 a.m. near the intersection of Fall Hill Avenue and Wicklow Drive, and firefighters extinguished the blaze.

But as officers were getting off the department's Engine 2, a car that had been parked on the side of Fall Hill Avenue began to back up. It struck Firefighter Ernly Chewning in the legs and pushed him against the engine, causing his injuries, said Capt. Brook Altman.

The firetruck had minor damage, Altman said.

Fire Department spokesman Reggie Phillips said Chewning was transported to Mary Washington Hospital. He was treated there for a broken right fibula and had stitches in his left leg, Phillips said.

--Emily Battle

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Date published: 9/1/2006