New York Firefighter Dies Years After On-the-Job Accident

ENDICOTT, N.Y. (AP) - A former Binghamton-area firefighter who was critically injured at a fire station nearly five years ago has died.

Donald Pedro died on Tuesday at a nursing home. The 44-year-old Pedro had sustained brain damage when a vehicle he was working on at an Endicott fire station fell on him when a jack buckled.

The incident happened in May 2000. Pedro -- who sustained other injuries in the accident -- later retired from the fire department on disability.

Controversy developed after Pedro sought workers' compensation benefits because he'd been hurt while working on his own vehicle at the fire station.

Benefits ultimately were approved for the retired firefighter following a court battle.

Funeral services for Pedro will be held tomorrow in Endicott.