Services set for 2 BLM firefighters killed in Northern Nevada crash
Memorial services will be held Tuesday in Winnemucca for two Bureau of Land Management firefighters who died in a rollover crash Sunday.
The Nevada Highway Patrol has said Jacob O’Malley, 27, and Will Hawkins, 22, died when their fire truck had a tire blowout and rolled over several times on state Route 140 about 40 miles north of Winnemucca.
The firefighters were returning to Winnemucca from a routine patrol in the Denio area, where they were looking for lightning fires. The accident happened about 5:20 p.m.
A third firefighter in the truck, 23-year-old Zachary McElroy, had nonlife-threatening injuries. He was released Tuesday from Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.
In a statement, the bureau said the memorials will run 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Winnemucca Events Complex Exhibit Hall.
“Everyone is invited to attend the Winnemucca services on Tuesday to honor Jacob and Will — two brave, hardworking firefighters who were dearly loved by their families and co-workers,” BLM Nevada Director John Ruhs said in the statement.
The bureau said Hawkins’ and O’Malley’s families have arranged private services, also. O’Malley’s will be in Lake Tahoe; he was from Zephyr Cove. Hawkins’ will be in Reno, where he’s from. Both men had been living in Winnemucca as roommates for the summer wildfire season.
Contact Matthew Crowleyat mcrowley@reviewjournal.com. Follow @copyjockey on Twitter.