Cortez Fire Chief Jeff Vandevoorde was transported to Southwest Memorial Hospital on Friday for minor injuries after his SUV was rear-ended on Main Street at Chestnut Street about 8 a.m.
Eyewitnesses said a man driving a Dodge Ram was talking on a cell phone when he slammed into the back of the fire vehicle, which was stopped at a red light. Officials declined to comment, citing an ongoing investigation.
The impact pushed the fire vehicle into the intersection, blocking the eastbound lanes on Main Street. Westbound traffic was limited to one lane.
Vandevoorde’s fire crew responded to the accident, and extricated him from the vehicle.