Texas volunteer firefighter, 2 kids killed in crash

Capt. Peter Hacking and his two children, ages 4 and 2, were killed after a van swerved and collided with their vehicle

April 01, 2016 10:20 AM

By Tom Steele
The Dallas Morning News

WYLIE, Texas — A Nevada volunteer firefighter and two children died Thursday in a crash that shut down State Highway 78 in Wylie, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.

Troopers responded about 2:15 p.m. to the crash on Highway 78 near State Highway 205, just south of Lavon Lake, DPS spokesman Sgt. Lonny Haschel said.

A van traveling south on Highway 78 swerved into the northbound lane, striking a car. It was not clear what caused the van to swerve, Haschel said.

All three people in the car died at the scene, including fire Capt. Peter Hacking, 36, and two of his children, 4-year-old Ellie and 22-month-old Grayson.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of a beloved father, husband and firefighter,” the fire department said in written statement. “We appreciate the outpouring of condolences and support from our neighboring departments and community.”

Nevada Volunteer FD identifies firefighter killed in Thursday Hwy 78 crash as 36 year old captain Peter Hacking pic.twitter.com/ozP9N2ID2k
— Zahid Arab (@ZahidArabFox4) April 1, 2016

The people in the van — driver Margarito Quintero, 33, and passengers Fransico Rameriz, 34, and Rigoberto Cruz, 19 – were taken to Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano with serious injuries.

Hacking was an employee of A.H. Belo Corp., the parent company of The Dallas Morning News. He had worked with the company since 2008 and was part of the IT applications team that supported circulation and marketing groups.

Hacking, who was born in England, lived in Lavon with his wife and children.

In his tight-knit work group, he was close friends with his co-workers, said his supervisor, Teri Andrews.

“He was very good to work with,” she said. “He was very compassionate, would do anything to help any of his co-workers.”

Hacking had a great sense of humor and was extremely smart and talented, Andrews said. “He will just be very, very sorely missed. It’s going to be a huge impact to our department.”