Crash on the shoulder
SCOTT COUNTY, KY — Dispatch audio obtained by LEX News shows how quickly a routine response turned into a deadly emergency for Scott County firefighters on July 11. The Engine 6 crew had stopped along the shoulder of I-75 southbound near 2:30 p.m. while helping police at a separate crash. Moments after three firefighters got back into the front cab of their truck, another vehicle struck the rear of the fire engine.
One firefighter told dispatch, “we were just rear-ended by a car,” before asking for more help. The collision happened in heavy rain, and the radio traffic captured the confusion and urgency that followed. The fire department said the firefighters were on scene assisting when the second crash occurred.
Crews kept working
Even after being hit, the firefighters immediately shifted back into rescue mode. Radio transmissions show them calling for the highway to be shut down and reporting severe injuries among the people in the crash. One firefighter said at least one victim was unconscious and that multiple ambulances were needed at the scene.
The department said the crew rendered aid to the crash victims despite being injured themselves. That response came in the same moments that emergency dispatchers were trying to coordinate traffic control and medical help on the busy interstate. The calls reflect how fast a roadside emergency can change for first responders and the people they are trying to protect.
Victims identified by police
Kentucky State Police said Shauna and Darren Nelson were traveling south on I-75 when their vehicle lost control on the wet roadway and hit the fire truck. Both died in the crash, according to state police. Two other passengers riding in the back seat were seriously injured and taken to local hospitals for treatment.
The weather and roadway conditions were central to the crash, with police saying the vehicle lost control in heavy rain. The collision involved people already responding to another wreck, turning one emergency into a larger tragedy. Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident.
Firefighters recovering now
The Scott County Fire Department said the three firefighters suffered minor injuries and are recovering. Their injuries were not described as severe, but the department said they were shaken by the collision. The crew’s quick transition from responders to crash victims underscored how vulnerable emergency personnel can be on the side of a highway.
The department’s account, combined with the dispatch recording, shows that the firefighters stayed focused on helping others even after the impact. Their actions were described as part of the broader duty first responders accept when working roadside scenes. The incident has drawn attention to the risks faced by crews operating on active interstates in bad weather.
State police continue review
Kentucky State Police are still investigating the crash. At this stage, officials have said the roadway was wet and the Nelson vehicle lost control before striking the fire engine. The investigation will determine more about the sequence of events and the circumstances that led to the fatal collision.
The crash left two people dead, two passengers seriously hurt and three firefighters injured while doing their jobs. The dispatch audio now offers a stark record of the seconds after impact and the pressure on emergency crews to respond in real time. It also serves as a reminder of the dangers that come with working alongside fast-moving traffic.
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