NEWCASTLE, Wyo. — A 15-year-old junior firefighter died Monday morning after his car rolled over Sunday afternoon.
BillingsGazette reported that firefighter Wyatt Pillen was driving when he lost control of his vehicle, and it rolled one and a half times. Both firefighter Pillen and his passenger, Vincent Oedekoven, 16, were thrown from the vehicle, according to the report.
Neither was wearing a seat belt nor serving as a firefighter at the time of the accident.
Firefighter Pillen was transported to the hospital, where he later died, and Oedekoven remains in the hospital, according to the report.
Both firefighter Pillen and Oedekoven were members of the Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department Explorers and were also cousins, according to the report.
A fund has been set up to raise money for medical expenses for both teens with a goal of $20,000. So far, they have raised more than $4,000.
BillingsGazette reported that firefighter Oedekoven is “fighting hard and doing fairly well.”
A candlelight vigil was held on Tuesday night for the two firefighters.
For more information, or to make a donation, go to www.gofundme.com/RIP-Wyatt-Pillen or www.gofundme.com/Vincent-Oedekoven.