Names Released of Firefighter Killed in Jacksonville Accident, Second One Injured
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: March 22, 2012
The Jacksonville Fire Department has released the names of the firefighter who was hit by a car and killed overnight at the scene of an accident, as well as a second fireman who was injured.
Captain Donald Jones, who died at the scene in the 8400 block of Highway 161 South, was a 31-year veteran of the department.
Critically injured was Jason Bowmaster, 37, a firefighter/engineer who has been with the department for 13 years. He was stable at last report.
Crews were called to the scene in the 8400 block of Highway 161 South around 11:00 Monday night after a car crashed, causing a gas main break. While emergency crews were clearing the accident, a van veered off the road, hitting three -- the two firefighters and a police officer.
In a news release this morning, Jacksonville Fire Chief John Vanderhoof said:
"A Fire Chief's worst nightmare is the loss of a Fellow Firefighter, that has been killed in the Line of Duty. Captain Donald Jones was killed in the Line of Duty while engaged in Firefighting activities on March 19,2012.
He started his career with the Jacksonville Fire Department on December 24, 1980. He served for 31 years of dedicated service with the Jacksonville Fire Department.
He will be missed by his family as well as his Firefighting Family.
He will always be in our hearts and memories.
Please pray for his family, his brother firefighter and police officer that was injured at the same time, and his other fellow firefighters."
On the Jacksonville Fire Department's Facebook page, the image below of a black band over the department logo was placed in honor of Jones and Bowmaster.
The injured police officer is Daniel DiMatteo. He was also critically injured but was stable at last report.
Click here for more on the original story, including details on charges filed against the driver who allegedly hit the firefighters and police officer.
Captain Donald Jones, who died at the scene in the 8400 block of Highway 161 South, was a 31-year veteran of the department.
Critically injured was Jason Bowmaster, 37, a firefighter/engineer who has been with the department for 13 years. He was stable at last report.
Crews were called to the scene in the 8400 block of Highway 161 South around 11:00 Monday night after a car crashed, causing a gas main break. While emergency crews were clearing the accident, a van veered off the road, hitting three -- the two firefighters and a police officer.
In a news release this morning, Jacksonville Fire Chief John Vanderhoof said:
"A Fire Chief's worst nightmare is the loss of a Fellow Firefighter, that has been killed in the Line of Duty. Captain Donald Jones was killed in the Line of Duty while engaged in Firefighting activities on March 19,2012.
He started his career with the Jacksonville Fire Department on December 24, 1980. He served for 31 years of dedicated service with the Jacksonville Fire Department.
He will be missed by his family as well as his Firefighting Family.
He will always be in our hearts and memories.
Please pray for his family, his brother firefighter and police officer that was injured at the same time, and his other fellow firefighters."
On the Jacksonville Fire Department's Facebook page, the image below of a black band over the department logo was placed in honor of Jones and Bowmaster.
The injured police officer is Daniel DiMatteo. He was also critically injured but was stable at last report.
Click here for more on the original story, including details on charges filed against the driver who allegedly hit the firefighters and police officer.
