Man sues Richmond over fire truck injuries

Emilson Garcia-Ponce is suing the City of Richmond and fire-truck driver Dillon Lissol over a September 2025 crash that left him with a lacerated spleen and broken back. Garcia-Ponce, who was homeless, alleges firefighters failed to check that the station driveway was clear before responding to a call and could have avoided hitting him. The city’s attorneys say he was difficult to see while asleep in the driveway and cite a reported blood alcohol level of .15 percent; the city and Lissol have denied the allegations. Reports say crew members heard a ping or metallic clank and stopped, but did not see Garcia-Ponce.