Firefighter Jalen Smith, 20, of the Jackson Heights Volunteer Fire Department on November 30, 2012 at 2200 hrs, was en route to the firehouse in response to a tractor accident in the area. Firefighter Smith was riding in a personally owned vehicle that according to preliminary reports was forced to take evasive action and crashed. Three members of Jackson Heights Fire Department were involved in the single vehicle rollover and all were taken to the hospital.
Smith passed away on December 3, 2012 from injuries sustained during the rollover; he was reported to have been ejected from the vehicle. The other two firefighters were treated and released the night of the accident.
KLTV.com-Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville, Texas | ETX News
Jackson Heights Fire Station out of service as crew copes with firefighter's death
Our condolences to the Smith Family & Friends, the Jackson Heights Volunteer Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter Jalen Smith's passing.
To date, 76 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
