Crime & Safety

DeSantie Tire Employee Injured in Tire Explosion

Customer Also Taken to Hospital with Ringing in Ear

A 48-year-old employee at DeSantie Tire in Fairfield was taken to St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport after a tire exploded in his face Monday afternoon.

Police said Diego Diaz, of Beechwood Avenue in Bridgeport, was bleeding from his nose and complained of pain in his face, nose and chest. A customer who was nearby, Douglas Francisco, 39, of Judson Road in Fairfield, was taken to Bridgeport Hospital after complaining of ringing in his right ear.

Diaz and Francisco were treated and released, emergency responders said.

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Diaz was changing an air valve on a truck tire and filling it with air in the Tunxis Hill Road store when the tire exploded, police said.

Firefighters said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified of the 5:16 p.m. incident. Lou Patrick at DeSantie Tire had called 911, police said.

Find out what's happening in Fairfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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