A New Orleans fire captain was killed and two firefighters were injured while responding to a call in New Orleans East on Friday.
Capt. Richard McCurley, 33, was killed and two firefighters injured when their fire truck flipped over while they were responding to a routine call about a gas leak.
The accident happened just before 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Read Boulevard.
According to investigators, 49-year-old Kirk Barbaran, an NOFD fireman along with the fire captain and another fireman, were headed west on Chef Menteur Highway in the fire truck with its lights and sirens on, when it veered to the right to keep from striking an 18-wheeler.
The fire truck missed the semi but struck the front end of a minivan carrying several independent insurance contractors working for Allstate Catastrophe. The fireman apparently lost control of the truck and ran off the side of the road, flipping over at least once.
The NOFD Captain was pronounced dead on scene and the two other firemen were treated for injuries at local hospitals. The occupants of the minivan were also treated for minor injuries. The driver of the semi was not hurt.
Toxicology tests are pending for all drivers. No charges have been filed at this time.
The New Orleans Police Department will handle the on-going investigation.
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