Firefighter Dies When Truck Collides With Vehicle

DETROIT -- A fire truck and a sport utility vehicle collided Wednesday evening in Detroit, killing the firefighter driving the truck and the driver of the SUV.

It happened on the city's west side.

Witnesses said the SUV was speeding southbound on Fourteenth Street before it struck a firetruck heading westbound on West Grand Boulevard.

Officials said the truck was rushing to the scene of a fire and its lights and siren were on.

Firefighter Joe Torkos, 47, died after he was thrown from the cab of the truck.

Fire officials said Torkos had a young child and his wife was pregnant.

The 31-year-old man driving the vehicle was also killed.

Three other firefighters were injured. Lt. Walter Grysko is in stable condition. Two other firefighters have been released from the hospital.

In the vehicle, an adult passenger is in critical condition. A 10-and 11-year-old are in stable condition.