Henderson, N.Y. - A volunteer firefighter is in critical condition after being injured while battling a fiery crash involving an SUV and a school bus Thursday afternoon in Jefferson County.

Smithville Fire Department firefighter John Rimiller, 61, of Adams, is in critical condition at Samaritan Medical Center, said Trooper Jennifer Jiron, a State Police spokesperson.

The SUV driver who died in the head-on crash is Alec A. Yepez, 31, of Rodman, troopers said.

Shortly before 3 p.m., Yepez was speeding north on Route 75 in the town of Henderson when his 2004 Cadillac Escalade crossed the double-solid centerline and hit the southbound Belleville-Henderson Central School District bus, Jiron said.

The SUV then burst into flames. Yepez died at the scene.

The driver of the bus, Kurt E. Gehrke, 59, of Belleville, was brought to Samaritan Medical Center with serious injuries before being transferred to Upstate University Hospital, where he is in stable condition, Jiron said.

The school bus was carrying 16 students between 15 and 17 years old. Four of those students were brought to Samaritan Medical Center, while one was brought to Carthage Area Hospital by a parent, Jiron said. All five students have since been released, she said.

The crash remains under investigation.

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