MAGNA — A Unified Fire Authority civilian employee was critically injured in a traffic accident on state Route 201 Tuesday, but he was expected to survive because he wore his seat belt.

The man, who works in the UFA's logistics division, was driving a company pickup truck, which was not equipped with overhead lights or a siren, when a semitrailer started changing lanes near 7200 West, said UFA Capt. Clint Smith. The truck clipped the fire employee's vehicle, causing the vehicle to spin, go into the median and roll at least one-and-a-half times, he said.

Firefighters had to cut off the roof to get the man out. He temporarily lost consciousness and had to be flown by medical helicopter to a local hospital. The employee's injuries were not expected to be life-threatening, however, due to the fact he was buckled up.

"At last word, he's conscious and alert and doing very well," Smith said. "I certainly think (wearing a seat belt saved his life), given the fact that the vehicle did at least one-and-a-half rollovers, possibly more. Otherwise, who knows where he would have ended up?"

Westbound traffic on state Route 201 was diverted off at 5600 West, causing a big backup for several hours while the accident was investigated and cleaned up.

— Pat Reavy