A volunteer firefighter is on administrative leave after he allegedly threw his helmet at a vehicle while directing traffic.
The Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office charged the 20-year-old firefighter with a misdemeanor of malicious injury to personal property. He was later released on a $500 personal recognizance bond.
An OCSO incident report notes the helmet shattered the windshield of the car — a 2007 Volkswagen Beetle — causing about $500 worth of damage.
The women in the vehicle were both hit by the helmet and were taken to the hospital for minor injuries, according to the report.
According to an Orangeburg County Fire District press release, the Pine Hill Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident with injures at 10 p.m. May 12.
In addition, a tree fell across both lanes of Shillings Bridge Road.
Fire department members used a chainsaw to remove the tree and open one lane of traffic. Firefighters were directing traffic at the scene.
“The member observed one vehicle that appeared not to be obeying the warning devices,” the fire district said in its statement.
“The member made three attempts to gain the driver’s attention. As the member was jumping out of the way of the approaching vehicle, the incident report states the helmet was removed and threw it toward the victim’s car,” the release said.