Texas Firefighter, Survivor of 2013 Explosion, Killed at Vehicle Fire

By Bill Carey
29 March 2023

WEST, Texas. – A Texas firefighter has died after being struck by a vehicle while working at a fire on I-35 on Tuesday.

West Mayor Tommy Muska told KCEN that the victim was Firefighter Edward “Eddie” Hykel. Hykel died after a tractor-trailer crashed into a fire engine and two Department of Public Safety vehicles at the scene of a vehicle fire at approximately 1:00 p.m..

Hykle was transported to Baylor Scott and White Hospital in critical condition, and was later pronounced dead. Two DPS troopers were also transported to the hospital, treated and later released.

KWTX reported that the inside lane of the interstate was shut down and that the driver of the tractor-trailer had disregarded the traffic control devices and struck the fire department and DPS vehicles.

Hykel had been injured in the April 2013 fertilizer plant explosion that killed 10 firefighters.

Photograph courtesy of KCEN News/YouTube.

Published by Data Not Drama

Data Not Drama is writings that provide a point of critical thought about firefighter fatality data and education, line of duty deaths, and risk. The main focus is to encourage less risk aversion and better knowledge on the subject of firefighter fatalities in firefighters, fire departments, and fire service organizations. View more posts