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Fire engine struck while stopped at a wreck
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Forsyth County News
Firefighters who responded to a wreck in northern Forsyth Wednesday afternoon found themselves at the center of another close call.
While authorities were working a wreck just after 5 p.m. in the eastbound lane of Dawsonville Highway at Dogwood Path, an oncoming sport utility vehicle struck a fire engine.
Damage to the engine was minimal, according to Fire Department Capt. Jason Shivers.
Forsyth County Sheriff's Capt. Frank Huggins said the first wreck occurred when a 1993 Toyota Corolla driven by 18-year-old Daisy Meza of Gillsville hit the back of a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant driven by Caroline Jean Faucett, 24, of Roswell.
Huggins said the cars were traveling east on Dawsonville Highway and Faucett's Mitsubishi was hit while she was waiting to turn left on to Dogwood Path. Meza was charged with following too close.
Moments later, a Ford Expedition, driven by Robert Colwell, 74, of Gainesville, approached the scene and attempted to pass the fire engine, striking its open door, authorities said.
Sheriff's Cpl. Paul Skakum said Colwell was cited for driving left of the centerline and failing to stop for an authorized person directing traffic.
Shivers said protecting the safety of emergency personnel is always a concern.
"That's why we ask people to slow down and be ready to stop any time they are passing through an area where we are working," Shivers said.
"We try to keep the roads open whenever possible, but sometimes we just have to close both lanes so everyone can work safely."
There were no injuries reported in the incident with the fire engine, Shivers said, while non-life threatening injuries were reported in the first wreck.

Staff Writer Julie Arrington contributed to this report.