By FireRescue1 Staff
DURANGO, Colo. — Members of the Durango Fire Protection District are mourning the loss of two of their own in less than a week, the Durango Herald reported.
Scott Gallagher, a fire training captain who had been with the department for more than 20 years, was killed after he was struck from behind by a vehicle while riding his bike, the Durango Police Department reported.
Cmdr. Ray Shupe, a spokesperson for the police, said that when the vehicle struck Gallagher’s bike, it caused him to flip over the car’s hood and into the windshield, likely dying on impact.
The suspect fled the scene and attempted to call in his vehicle as stolen, but police determined that wasn’t the case, and located the owner, who was identified as 19-year-old Lorenzo Jones.
Jones eventually confessed to being the driver of the vehicle and was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide; leaving the scene of an accident; and failing to render aid.
“it’s just a sad day,” Shupe said. “Our hearts go out, certainly, to the family, friends and co-workers of the victim. Scott was certainly well-liked in the community.”
The department was already in shock over the loss of Leo Lloyd, EMS training captain for the DFPD, who died from heart complications he suffered while riding bikes with his son. Lloyd served 42 years in EMS, both for DFPD and doing technical rescues with La Plata County Search and Rescue.
Department officials are working to ensure members are supported in their grief.
“We’re just trying to do the best that we can to take enough pause to make sure that our men and women, the workforce here, are well and are getting the help that they need,” said Hal Doughty, DFPD chief. “At the same time, the 911 phone doesn’t stop ringing.”