Flags to fly at half-staff in Arizona for firefighter killed in ambulance crash

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered flags be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday at all state buildings in honor of Brendan Bessee, a firefighter and emergency medical technician who was killed in a crash last week.

Bessee, a first responder for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Fire Department, was driving an ambulance Friday when it collided with a semi-truck on State Route 87, authorities said.

Tyler Packer, another emergency medical technician, was also injured in the collision and is in the hospital in critical condition.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and colleagues of Brendan and Tyler,” Ducey said in a statement.

“When we say our first responders put their lives on the line every day, that’s not a figure of speech. It’s heartbreaking that Brendan’s heroism and selflessness cost him his life. Arizona mourns the loss of one of our best, and we pray that Tyler makes a full recovery. God bless them and all our brave first responders.”

The Arizona Department of Public Safety said Friday the driver of the semi-truck, who was identified only as a woman, had minor injuries and that the wreck occurred after the ambulance turned onto the highway while responding to a call.

Authorities were not able to determine whether the sirens or lights on the ambulance were on.

The cause of the crash was under investigation, DPS said.

A procession Saturday evening took Bessee home to Globe.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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