Surveillance Video Fuels Criminal Charges Against Two Cleveland Firefighters

Posted by: Curt Varone September 18, 2014 3 Comments

A surveillance video has been released showing the crash of a Cleveland ladder truck in a parking lot last June. Two firefighters, the driver and the officer, have been charged criminally with submitting false reports about how the accident occurred.

Fire Captain Ron Vargo and Firefighter Richard Nickerson blamed the crash on a vehicle that cut them off, causing them to strike a light pole. The crash caused over $20,000 to the ladder truck and destroyed the pole.

The video surveillance shows there was no car in the area, just a large tractor trailer that was turning around.

Both firefighters have entered pleas of not guilty and have asked for a speedy trial.
19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|News, Weather, Sports

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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