A Jacksonville firefighter was killed and another firefighter and a police officer were critically injured after they were struck by a motorist while working the scene of a wreck late Monday night.
Capt. Donald Jones was pronounced dead at the scene while Firefighter/Engineer Jason Bowmaster and an unidentified Jacksonville police officer were transported to local hospitals in critical condition, according to KARK-TV.
The driver of the van that struck them was identified as Bryce Allen, 47. He was charged with second-degree murder and two counts of criminal intent to commit second-degree murder.
Allen allegedly did not attempt to stop his vehicle, though witnesses say he told authorities his accelerator pedal became stuck.
Officials told the news station that Allen is the son of Thelma Allen -- the driver whose car crashed and caused the gas main break that responders were handling.
Bryce Allen and Thelma Allen were both uninjured.
Crews responded to the scene of the original crash in the 8400 block of Highway 161 South around 11 p.m.
While they were clearing the wreck, Bryce Allen's van veered off the road and hit the three responders.
"A Fire Chief's worst nightmare is the loss of a fellow firefighter that has been killed in the Line of Duty," Fire Chief John Vanderhoof said in a statement.
The Jacksonville Police Department, which is monitoring the condition of the injured officer, was also hit hard by Jones' death.
"Any time you lose one of your fellow firefighters or law enforcement officers or families, it's very tragic," Jacksonville Police Capt. Kenny Boyd told KARK-TV. "It'll take some time."
Firehouse.com will provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
