Biographical Information
Age: 47
Cause of Death: Torkos was killed when an SUV collided with the engine he was driving.
Additional Info: Torkos is survived by his wife and young child. At the time of his death Torkos’ wife was expecting their second child.
By Naomi R. Patton and Bill Mcgraw
Detroit Free Press
Copyright 2007 Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press (Michigan)
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
DETROIT — A veteran Detroit firefighter and another man were killed Wednesday night when the engine the firefighter was driving was struck by a sport-utility vehicle driven by the man.
Firefighter Joe Torkos of Engine Co. 17 was thrown from the cab of the engine and run over by the fire truck, Dan McNamara, president of the Detroit Fire Fighters Association, said.
A second firefighter, Lt. Walt Grysko, was thrown through the windshield and was in critical condition at Henry Ford Hospital. Two other firefighters were under observation.
In addition, an adult passenger riding in the SUV was in critical condition at Henry Ford. Two children, ages 10 and 11, were at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in stable condition.
The driver of the SUV, a black Chevy Tahoe, was not immediately identified.
Torkos had a young child, and his wife was pregnant, fire officials said. “He was a great guy ... He took good care of the rig,” firefighter Paul Attard said.
The accident occurred about 6:30 p.m. Police said the SUV was southbound on 14th Street at more than 70 m.p.h. when it collided with the engine as it turned onto 14th from West Grand Boulevard.
The engine, on a call, reportedly had its lights on.