WINK, TX (09/07/2016) — Volunteer firefighter Colby Slaughter died in a head-on collision on Wednesday evening.
According to authorities, 36-year-old Colby Slaughter was killed in an accident that occurred along Highway 302 in Wink, Texas.
Loving County Sheriff Chris Busse stated that at around 5:00 p.m., the Wink Volunteer Fire Department was responding to a tank battery fire with lights and sirens activated, traveling westbound on State Highway 302, when a water hauler (commercial truck) headed in the opposite direction attempted to pass eastbound traffic and struck the fire truck head-on.
Slaughter, who was one of the volunteer firefighters, lost his life in the wreckage.
The driver of the of the 18-wheeler and a passenger in the fire truck sustained severe injuries. They were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is currently investigating this accident.
Commentary
Details are limited at this time as the DPS works to determine the facts of the accident. Although a number of factors could have spurred on this wreck, the driver who initiated this collision may face charges, since he or she ultimately failed to pass safely. We should have more information as the DPS concludes their investigation.
To those affected by this tragic accident, we offer our condolences.
