Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Firefighter Killed in Crash was 25-Year Veteran

The volunteer firefighter killed in the crash on Old Mountain Road was a member of West Suffield's Ratley Road fire station.

Update:

Suffield Police released the identity of the driver of the other car in Wednesday's fatal crash, according to the Hartford Courant.

Shaun Phelps, 29, of Southwick, MA, was the driver of the pickup truck involved in the two-car accident. His truck rolled over in the accident and he was taken to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries, which were presumed to be non life-threatening, according to the Courant.

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Original Story:

The Suffield Fire Department has released the name of the volunteer firefighter killed in Wednesday's fatal two-car accident on Old Mountain Road.

Find out what's happening in Suffieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Paul Simison, 60, a 25-year Suffield Fire Department veteran, was a member of the engine company at fire station No. 2 on Ratley Road in West Suffield.

"All of his experience is going to be missed in that company and in the department," said Fire Chief Mike Thibedeau. "[There is] a big void."

Simison's family is working with the Suffield Fire Department for funeral arrangements but the plans have not been finalized as of Thursday morning.

The name of the driver injured and taken to an area hospital (Baystate Medical Center in Springfield according to MassLive.com) has not yet been released. 

The North Central Municipal Accident Reconstruction team is still investigating the accident.

Anyone who saw the crash is asked to share that information with Sgt. Ryan Burrell of the Suffield Police Department at 860-668-3870.


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