1 tribal firefighter killed, 2nd injured in ambulance crash
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — One Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community firefighter was killed and a second critically injured when their ambulance collided with a tractor-trailer rig, officials said.
Firefighter Brendon Bessee was killed and Firefighter Tyler Packer was critically injured in the wreck April 8 on State Route 87 on the tribe's reservation on the east side of metro Phoenix, tribal President Martin Harvier said in a statement
The Arizona Department of Public Safety said the truck's driver had minor injuries and that the wreck occurred after the ambulance turned onto the highway while responding to a 911 call, azfamily.com reported.
Cause of the crash was under investigation, the DPS said.
Video posted by azfamily.com showed the ambulance's cab sitting upright but sheared from the rest of the vehicle.
Harvier said Bessee and Packer were recent transfers to the tribal fire department.
"Prayers are needed for the Salt River Fire Department as they navigate through this very difficult time, losing one of their own and thinking about their brother in the hospital," Harvier said.
Outside agencies were helping to answer emergency calls on the reservation, Harvier said. "They are here to help."
A procession April 9 was to take Bessee home to Globe, Arizona.
- Where's my check? Navajo tribal members seek answers for when hardship checks will arrive
- Navajo Nation mails 110,000 hardship checks
- Meth and cocaine seized during traffic stop in Holbrook
- Election season in full swing on the Navajo Nation; five candidates announce run
- Tony Hillerman's Dark Winds TV series premiers June 12
- Photo highlights: Tuba City High School students dance the night away at prom
- HGTV expands 'Home Town' franchise, features Winslow as one of its towns
- The Navajo Nation’s transition to renewable energy: what and where to expect it
- Grand Canyon warns of gastrointestinal illness among river trips and backcountry campers
- ‘Dark Winds’ TV series based on Tony Hillerman books to film on Navajo Nation in October; extras being sought
- Navajo Nation mails 110,000 hardship checks
- Where's my check? Navajo tribal members seek answers for when hardship checks will arrive
- HGTV expands 'Home Town' franchise, features Winslow as one of its towns
- Election season in full swing on the Navajo Nation; five candidates announce run
- Tony Hillerman's Dark Winds TV series premiers June 12
- Tunnel Fire more than doubles in size overnight in Flagstaff
- Tuba City resident seeks degree to help reservation animals
- ‘Dark Winds’ TV series based on Tony Hillerman books to film on Navajo Nation in October; extras being sought
- The film "Powerlands" reveals a sobering story of environmental and cultural crisis on Indigenous lands
- Winslow celebrates national exposure; new business and development
SUBMIT FEEDBACK
Click Below to: