By Laura French
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A North Carolina music teacher was killed after his car collided with a fire apparatus on Thursday afternoon.
West Buncombe Fire Chief Dennis A. Fagnant Jr. said in a statement Friday morning that firefighters were responding in Ladder 6 to a possible structure fire at Erwin High School when the crash occurred. The collision occurred at the intersection of the roadway and the entrance of Eblen Intermediate School.
Firefighters immediately rendered emergency care to the driver of the car, Fagnant said. No firefighters were injured.
In an update later Friday morning, Fagnant announced that the driver of the car had died. The driver was identified as Jason Minnix, a music teacher at Eblen Intermediate School, according to the Citizen Times.
“Our firefighters take pride in serving our community and helping those in need. To be part of such a tragic event deeply affects all our firefighters and our sincere condolences go out to the family, friends, and co-workers of the driver,” Fagnant wrote. “We join our community in mourning the loss and offer prayers of healing for all.”
The crash is under investigation by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. School officials said a crisis team will be made available for students and staff at Eblen Intermediate.