Marietta firefighter killed, 2 injured in violent L.A. crash
LOS ANGELES - An off-duty firefighter from Marietta was killed and two of his colleagues were injured during a tragic wreck in California late Monday night.
Ron Herens, Dillon Guest and Doug Blanchard were on vacation when the car they were driving in was struck by a suspected DUI driver in the Venice area of Los Angeles, according to the Marietta Fire Department.
Authorities said Herens died at the scene. His fellow firefighters, Guest and Blanchard, were taken to UCLA Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.
Tuesday morning, Marietta Fire Department Chief Jackie Gibbs released the following statement:
“It is with great sadness that I report the death of Marietta firefighter Ron C Herens. Ron tragically died in a car crash in Los Angles, California while on vacation with four other firefighters from Marietta Fire Department. Ron was a passenger in a car with two fellow firefighters when their car was struck by a DUI driver. The other two firefighters, Dillon Guest and Doug Blanchard were transported by ambulance to UCLA Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Funeral arrangements are pending.”
Watch: Fire chief speaks about fallen firefighter
According to the Associated Press, Herens' body was taken to the coroner's office in a procession of police cars and fire trucks with their lights flashing.
Los Angeles authorities said the DUI suspect was arrested following the violent collision.