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June 7, 2005Family files suit against fire dept.It is uncertain if driver will face criminal chargesByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Matthew Garrisi suffers emotionally since he watched his wife, Rebecca, and infant son, Jesse, die following a collision with a Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department truck, according to a lawsuit filed in 13th Circuit Court. The crash occurred March 8 when Cory Carlton, 26, a part-time firefighter, drove a department fire engine through a red light at the intersection of Zimmerman and Silver Lake roads and struck a sport-utility vehicle occupied by the Garrisi family. Rebecca Garrisi, 28, was "crushed on impact," causing her death at the scene, according to the suit that seeks damages in excess of $25,000. Eleven-month-old Jesse Garrisi was transported to a Grand Rapids hospital, where he died from "severe and massive head trauma." The lawsuit alleges Carlton "knew or should have known" the intersection would be busy and congested at the time of the accident and that the area does not have broad visibility for approaching drivers. The fire department is liable for the accident because Carlton should have been taught that emergency lights and sirens are "not effective" to warn motorists at a converging intersection, the suit contends. According to the Michigan vehicle code, emergency vehicles may proceed past a red signal "only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation." Grand Traverse County sheriff's investigators said Carlton did not appear to slow at the intersection to check for oncoming traffic. Fire department attorney Mark Bickel could not be reached for comment about the suit. The Garrisi family also wants the court to file a restraining order to prevent the fire department from transferring the damaged fire engine to the manufacturer for possible repair or to be salvaged. See Related Stories: Family frustrated with slow pace on crash case - June 2, 2005 Leelanau prosecutor to take case of fatal fire truck crash - April 21, 2005 State A.G. to review fire truck collision - April 13, 2005 Fire truck collision is being reviewed - March 18, 2005 Fire truck inquiry to wrap up next week - March 12, 2005 Family shattered by crash - March 10, 2005 Woman dies as result of car, fire truck crash - March 9, 2005
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