A fire truck used by former Vulcans — the red-cloaked rapscallions of the St. Paul Winter Carnival — was allegedly involved in a property damage hit-and-run Saturday night in downtown St. Paul.
The accident happened at about 9:30 p.m. behind the Eagle Street Grille at 174 W. 7th St.
According to a statement from the St. Paul police department:
“A witness, who was standing on the restaurant’s back patio, said he saw the driver of an older model fire truck back out of the alley and hit a parked car, causing minor damage to the car’s rear bumper. The witness said he yelled at the driver and the passengers who were in the truck bed that they had hit a car, but the driver kept backing out.
“The witness said he recognized the fire truck as one used by the Saint Paul Vulcan Krewe.
“The witness went inside and told the restaurant owner about the crash. The restaurant owner came outside and told police he saw the fire truck driver back into a retaining wall. The restaurant owner said he then asked the driver to stop and provide insurance information, but the driver refused and drove off southbound on Eagle Street.
“A short time later, the fire truck was found behind Alary’s Bar at 137 E. 7th St. No one was inside the truck. Officers attempted to locate the driver and his passengers Saturday night but were unsuccessful.”
Investigators today spoke with the truck’s registered owner. He said he was driving the truck Saturday night and “thought he hit some ice but was unaware that he struck a parked car and a retaining wall,” according to the police statement.
The man told police he had no recollection of being asked to stop the truck and provide insurance information.
Police have turned the case over to the city attorney for formal review.
John Brewer can be reached at 651-228-2093.
Copyright 2011 Pioneer Press.
