Veteran West firefighter killed after big rig driver fails to 'slow down, move over'

UPDATE (3/29/23 6:45 p.m.)
WEST, Texas — Many community members in West are at a loss for words after Hykel's death on Tuesday.

The town's retired police chief, Darryl Barton, spoke with 25 News on Wednesday about working with Hykel both in his role as a firefighter and as a city staff member.

"He had a servant's heart for sure," Barton said. "He was here whether it was on the city side or the fire department side, he was here to help. He was here to do what needed to bee done."

Barton said the fact that Hykel's death nearly coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the 2013 West explosion adds another layer of grief.

"It's gonna be ten years that we lost our colleagues, our friends, our family...and for him, and I know that was weighing heavy on his heart," he said. "But he's with them now."

UPDATE (11:08 p.m.)
Family and friends of Edward Hykel are mourning his loss — like Keith Hykel, Brother of Eddie Hykel.

"I just ask y’all — please ask the public to slow down & move over," the firefighter's brother, Keith Hykel, said to 25 News.

"First responders need to come home too."

Edward Hykel was presented with one of the Star of Texas awards by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2016 — where he was acknowledged for how he served his community and the state of Texas.

UPDATE (5:30 p.m.)

Mayor Tommy Muska has identified the firefighter killed while responding to a vehicle fire near Exit 354 in West as 60-year-old Edward Hykel.

A volunteer firefighter for 16 years, Hykel was injured during — and survived — the devastating April 17, 2013 ammonium nitrate explosion that occurred at the West Fertilizer Company storage and distribution facility.

25 News will provide more details as they become available.

UPDATE (4:30 p.m.)

All lanes are open — and traffic is flowing again — on I-35 north in West.

Traffic backed up after a West firefighter was struck by a vehicle while responding to a vehicle fire near Exit 354 around 1 p.m. Tuesday, Texas DPS said.

The firefighter later died, Sgt. Ryan Howard told 25 News.

ORIGINAL STORY

A West firefighter was struck by a vehicle while responding to a vehicle fire on northbound I-35 near Exit 354 in West around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The firefighter later died, Sgt. Ryan Howard told 25 News.

The inside lane of the interstate was shut down with traffic control devices, a fire engine, and two DPS patrol units when a Peterbilt semi-trailer disregarded traffic control devices and struck the fire engine and both patrol units, DPS said.

The West firefighter was transported to Baylor Scott and White hospital in critical condition, before he passed.

Two troopers were also transported to be treated for injuries from the accident.

The investigation is ongoing.

25 News has crews on the scene and will have the latest at 5/6 tonight.