Louisiana Firefighter Killed in Rollover

A firefighter from Caddo Parish Fire District 2 near Shreveport, La, identified as Eric Speed, 33, has been killed in a tanker rollover incident.

Fire District 1 PIO Debra Arceneaux said the incident happened Friday morning when District 1 was called out on a house fire. The District 2 firefighter was alone in the tanker truck responding mutual aid.

At 9:54 a.m., District 1 received a call from a witness to the rollover. Arceneaux said responders found the driver pinned in the truck and the extrication took a lot of time and effort. The driver was airlifted to LSU Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

A firefighter on the scene of the accident said the firefighter was driving a 3000 gallon tanker and lost control in a curve. It went onto its side and slid into a row of pine trees. One large tree completely crushed, and came to rest in the driver's compartment.

Speed was a volunteer called in Friday to work a paid shift. He has been with Fire District 2 for 12 years. He was also a stock manager at a local Wal-Mart. He leaves behind four children, a mother and a sister.

The chief of District 2 is Harry Lowery. Caddo Parish operates eight fire districts.

Caddo Parish Fire District One

Funeral Information

Visitation for Firefighter Speed will be held Friday, April 4 at 5 p.m. at Lake Bethlehem Baptist Church, 2842 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Shreveport, La.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 5 at 11 a.m. at the church.

Burial will follow at Round Grove Cemetery, 2869 Round Grove Lane in Shreveport.

The Caddo Fire Chiefs Association has set up an account to benefit Eric Speed's family. Donations can be made at Professional Firefighters Credit Union, 6015 Hearne Ave. in Shreveport, and 2207 California Drive in Bossier City.

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