Crazed truck driver tries to steal fire truck near Times Square, reports say
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A man who crashed his rental truck near New York's Times Square on Sunday attacked a firefighter and tried unsuccessfully to steal his fire truck, according to reports.
Video taken Sunday evening showed the unidentified man wearing a green shirt in the driver’s side of a Fire Department of New York (FDNY) fire truck. In the crowded street, firefighters surrounded the vehicle and seemingly tried to force the man -- who was fighting back -- away from the fire truck.
The man allegedly crashed his large rental truck early Sunday afternoon into seven vehicles on 10th Avenue a couple blocks from Times Square, the New York Post reported.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An FDNY spokesperson confirmed the skirmish to WPIX, adding that either the truck driver or someone else involved became furious and tried to steal the fire truck.
The driver “was in a manic state, he jumped out of the truck screaming, ‘Help me, help me — he’s chasing me,’” a witness told the Post.
Nine people, including the driver and a firefighter, were rushed to a hospital.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police said the incident is not being investigated as terrorism, and they believe the unknown driver was high on drugs.