LODD: Mich. fire chief struck, killed while on scene

A passing car lost control and hit Chief Edward Switalski; crews tried to revive him but were unsuccessful

June 15, 2017 09:25 AM

In this June 21, 2013 photo, Comstock Fire Chief Wally Culver, left, trains his replacement Edward Switalski at the Comstock Fire Department east station in Comstock Township, Mich. Switalski has died after he was struck by an out-of-control vehicle as he responded to another crash on Interstate 94 in southwestern Michigan, authorities said Thursday June 15, 2017.

By FireRescue1 Staff

COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A fire chief was struck and killed by a passing car while responding to a call Wednesday night.

WOODTV.com reported that Comstock Township Chief Edward Switalski was responding to a crash scene after heavy rains. When crews arrived, they found an empty vehicle.

While leaving the scene, a passing car lost control and hit Chief Switalski, who was standing near the rear of his department vehicle. Crews tried to revive him, but were unsuccessful. He died at the scene.

The at-fault driver was taken to a hospital with injuries from the crash; the incident remains under investigation.

Switalski was sworn in as chief in July 2013.

“He was extremely social. You’ll find him all over his Facebook page far more than most of us are in my age bracket,” Oshtemo Township Fire Department Chief Mark Barnes said. “Absolute wonderful guy. He’s a firefighter’s firefighter.”

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