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Neb. chief dies in crash en route to fire with 'zero-visibility conditions'
Elwood Volunteer Fire Department Chief Darren Krull was a passenger in a vehicle that was hit by a water truck
Duty Death: Darren D. Krull - [Elwood, Nebraska]
End of Service: 04/07/2022
By Leila Merrill
ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Elwood Volunteer Fire Department Chief Darren Krull, 54, died in a collision Thursday, according to a report from the Nebraska State Patrol.
Two vehicles responding to a fire southeast of Elwood were involved in the crash at about 5:10 p.m. A truck hauling water struck the other vehicle head-on, which was a Ford Expedition driven by Phelps County Emergency Manager Justin Norris, 40.
Krull was a passenger in the Ford. He died at the scene.
We are extremely sad to report that a crash yesterday during the fire response near Arapahoe has claimed the life of Elwood Fire Chief Darren Krull and injured Phelps County Emergency Manager Justin Norris.
— Nebraska State Patrol (@NEStatePatrol) April 8, 2022
Details: https://t.co/UAMLaMfoB3 pic.twitter.com/slm4VljA59
Norris sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital. He is currently in stable condition.
The water truck driver was not hurt.
Fire and smoke “created zero-visibility conditions on the roadway at the time of the crash,” the state patrol report said.
The crash is under investigation.
