John Gallant, 49, a Pepperell resident and a Lowell firefighter since 1979, was driving to his second job at Home Depot when his truck hit a patch of black ice, skidded and crashed Saturday morning, according to Deputy Chief Thomas Christoun of the Lowell Fire Department.
Pepperell police said the accident was reported at around 7:30 a.m., on Lowell Road near East Street. Gallant was driving a red 2002 Ford Ranger pickup. No further details were available last night.
Gallant was transported by ambulance to Lahey Clinic in Burlington. He currently is paralyzed from the waist down, but there is no word yet from hospital officials on whether his condition may improve, Christoun said.
Capt. Robert Littlefield, who worked with Gallant at the Lawrence Street firehouse, said Gallant is a popular and respected member of the department.
"He's well-liked by all the guys," Littlefield said. "He's very dedicated, an excellent firefighter, the kind of guy you can always rely on."
News of the accident hit the firefighters hard.
"Everybody's stunned and shocked," Littlefield said. "His family and us, we're still trying to comprehend what's happened to him."
Gallant's wife Mary, a Sun employee, and his children were at the hospital with him, Littlefield said. Firefighters have been visiting Gallant and offering all the support they can.
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