By Donald W. Patterson
The News & Record
KERNERSVILLE, N.C. — A routine fire call and a trip to church came together early Sunday afternoon with tragic results.
Authorities say an elderly Kernersville couple, who had just attended Mass, pulled in front of a town fire truck on its way to put out a grass fire in the median of Business 40.
The fire truck slammed into the car, killing 80-year old John William Hack, the driver, and injuring his wife, Patricia, who was admitted to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Her injuries are not life threatening, officials say. Her condition was unavailable Sunday night.
The Hacks, newcomers to the area, were leaving Holy Cross Catholic Church at 616 S. Cherry St., where they had just attended 11:15 a.m. services.
The three firefighters, who were not identified, were treated and released at Kernersville Medical Center.
The accident occurred at 12:27 p.m.
Witnesses told investigating officers that the fire engine had its lights flashing and siren blaring.
“They had their warning equipment on, and they had the right of way,” Highway Patrol Sgt. P.M. Dixson said of the truck. “The decedent’s vehicle pulled out from a church (parking lot) into their path.”
Dixson could not provide the speed of the fire truck nor did he know whether the Hacks were wearing seatbelts.
The truck struck the car, a Hyundai Elantra, on the driver’s side.
A church member said the Hacks had moved to the area in January to be near family. Their car still had out-of-state plates.
“They were not too well known,” said Deacon Gene Gillis, who visited Patricia Hack in the hospital Sunday afternoon. “She is doing as well as can be expected. Her mind is blocking out certain events.”
Kernersville officials can’t remember the last time a town fire truck was involved in a fatal accident.
“I’ve been here 25 years,” said Walt Summerville, chief of the Kernersville Fire Rescue Department. “It’s not happened in (that time).”
Summerville said the firefighters have already met with what he called a critical stress debriefer.
“She will explain what kind of emotions they can expect,” he said. “We want to make sure our firefighters are OK.”
The Kernersville Police Department has asked the Highway Patrol to investigate because a town-owned vehicle was involved.
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