Off-duty Irving firefighter killed in motorcycle crash
IRVING, Texas - An off-duty Irving firefighter was killed in a multi-vehicle crash in Parker County on Tuesday. He is being remembered as a dedicated public servant.
The crash happened around 1 p.m. on FM 51 south of Highway 199 in the town of Springtown.
Springtown police said a semi-truck heading north on FM 51 stopped to try to make a left turn. A truck pulling a large shed on a trailer stopped behind it.
The firefighter, 41-year-old Joshua Brandes, could not stop his Harley Davidson motorcycle in time for some reason.
Police said Brandes tried to swerve to avoid the trailer but still ended up clipping the back of it and injuring his leg. He then hit a sedan that was heading south head-on.
First responders applied a tourniquet and performed CPR to try to save Brandes' life, but they were not successful.
Joshua Brandes
After they realized he was a fellow first responder, they helped to escort his body to the medical examiner's office in a show of respect.
"Any loss of life which is the result of a motor vehicle accident is tragic, but when the victim is a fellow first responder, it is especially impactful for all first responders who are involved with working the scene and investigating the accident. Our hearts remain heavy for his loved ones as well as those he served beside at both the Irving Fire Department and the Decatur Police Department as they mourn the shocking loss of one of their own," said Springtown City Administrator and Director of Public Safety David Miller.
Remembering Joshua Brandes
Brandes had many titles: husband, father, mentor and firefighter.
He was also a reserve police officer under Decatur Police Chief Delvon Campbell.
"If you knew Josh, that was his deal. He loved being a servant," he said.
Chief Campbell got word and immediately went to notify Brandes’ wife, a teacher at Decatur High School.
"I love everything in the world about being a police chief, but not those things. Not those things at all," he said.
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Three years ago, Brandes started as a reserve officer at the Decatur Police Department and then volunteered to be a school resource officer at Decatur ISD.
On top of being with the Irving Fire Department for 13 years, Brandes served as a fire equipment operator and paramedic at Station 11 near Royal Lane and Macarthur Boulevard.
A procession of first responders escorted his body to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office with funeral plans still being finalized.