CHP Continues Investigation Into Crash Of 2 Fire Trucks In Monterey Park

MONTEREY PARK (CBSLA.com)  —  The CHP is continuing to investigate the crash Wednesday of two fire trucks in Monterey Park that left more than a dozen people injured.

The impact between the two trucks caused one of them to slam into a restaurant at the corner of Garfield and Emerson Avenues.

Lu's Dumpling House in Monterey Park -- which sustained considerable damage in the crash -- is now boarded up.

Cell phone video captured the aftermath of a fire engine that smashed through the restaurant yesterday. The video showed a man pinned against the truck and a refrigerator.

CBS2's Jeff Nguyen reported 15 people were taken to three area hospitals. Six firefighters were among the injured.

"Nobody knows when we can restart," said restaurant owner Vivian Lu, " If we restart the business will the customers (feel) comfortable to sit inside? I'm not."

According to the CHP, an Alhambra Fire Department truck was going southbound on Garfield Avenue when a Monterey Park truck was heading eastbound on Emerson Avenue. The two collided in the intersection.

The impact of the collision caused the Monterey Park truck to slam into the restaurant.

The fire chiefs of both departments told Nguyen that both trucks were running Code 3 which means their lights and sirens were on.

"As a vehicle enters into an intersection, Code 3, they are to enter the intersection safely. And proceed through that intersection when it's safe," said Monterey Park Fire Chief Jim Birrell.

A published report says one of the trucks ran a red light but it's unclear which.

The CHP isn't ready to confirm that report because it's still early in the investigation. But the chiefs told Nguyen it's standard policy for two trucks entering an intersection to defer to the one with the green.

As Lu's Dumpling House sits damaged,  Vivian Lu says this is the second crash her business has experienced in about six months.

She had to temporarily close down last time. But she says the damage is so extensive in Wednesday's crash, it's unclear when her 15 employees will be able to come back to work --  or if they'll even want to.

"The employees, they don't work, they don't get money. They cannot stop. They need to find another job. Then I will lose my employee," said Lu.