Fort Worth firefighters injured in Tuesday truck crash identified; one still in hospital
Three of the four firefighters aboard the Fort Worth fire engine that crashed early Tuesday morning have been with the department for around two decades, the fire department said as it publicly identified the men with their and their families’ permission.
The crash sent all four members of the crew to the hospital, with one in critical condition and another requiring surgery, according to the department.
They’ve been identified as 46-year-old Capt. Daniel Terrell, an 18-year veteran who was under intensive care with life-threatening injuries following the crash; 42-year-old Firefighter Clint Robinson, an 18-year veteran who had to undergo surgery Wednesday afternoon; 42-year-old Engineer Matthew Schneider, a 22-year veteran who was released from the hospital Tuesday; and 33-year-old Devin Kuhn, a fire department veteran of almost five years who was released from the hospital Tuesday.
Terrell, the officer of the engine, was in the front passenger seat when the fire truck crashed and rolled, according to the department. He recently transferred back to Station 3, one of the busier assignments in Fort Worth, because he wanted to be in the community it serves again, Fire Chief Jim Davis said. Terrell was breathing on his own and showing other signs of improvement Wednesday, the department said. He was still hospitalized Thursday but was being transferred out of the ICU.
Robinson was in the back seat of the engine when the crash happened. He was released from the hospital Thursday following his surgery.
Schneider, who was driving, and Kuhn, who was in the back seat, both sustained minor injuries and were treated at the hospital before they were released.
The firefighters’ injuries included sprains, fractures and a head injury, Davis said.
The accident took place shortly after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Wilbarger Street and Village Creek Road, in southeast Fort Worth, while the crew on Engine 3 was driving to the scene of a house fire, fire department officials said in a news release. The fire, in the 4500 block of Pecos Street, displaced several residents and left one woman with breathing problems.
The owner of the home, Nena Pounds, told the Star-Telegram on Tuesday that she had an asthma attack and had to get assistance with breathing after going back into the house to rescue her daughter’s puppy. The Red Cross was assisting Pounds and her family with temporary housing after the fire.
Pounds said she has lived in the house for 16 years with no problems prior to Tuesday’s fire. Having recently had a heart attack and stroke, she only started back at work Monday.
Now, Pounds says she can’t go to work because of breathing problems from smoke inhalation.
Pounds woke up Tuesday morning and started going about her regular morning routine. When she realized the electricity was out, she opened the door to the garage to check the breaker box.
“It hit me right in the face, this thick, black smoke,” Pounds told the Star-Telegram.
The fire department believes the fire engine crash was a single-vehicle incident, Davis said at a Tuesday afternoon news conference. While investigators are still not sure what caused the truck to roll over, he said there is no indication it was caused by a vehicle pulling out in front of the fire engine or failing to yield.
“Our foremost priority is supporting the wellbeing of our firefighters and their families in this difficult moment,” Davis said. “We appreciate the support and prayers of the Fort Worth community as we stand by the injured and their families.”
Fort Worth police detectives are running the investigation into how the accident happened, Police Chief Neil Noakes said at the Tuesday afternoon news conference. Traffic investigators are conducting interviews and looking for witnesses and planned to speak with the injured firefighters when possible.
Noakes told the Star-Telegram after the news conference that the investigation could face complexities because of the size and weight of the fire engine and the fact that it carries tanks of water, which could have had an impact.
Noakes asked that people who live in the area check their cameras for any video that may have captured the crash or what led up to it.
This story was originally published February 7, 2024 at 6:48 PM.