Columbus Firefighter, A Local Grad, Killed In Motorcycle Crash

COLUMBUS, OH — A Columbus firefighter who was passionate about working in the city's east side was killed in a motorcycle crash. Derek Walton, who joined the Columbus Division of Fire in June 2014 and was assigned to a fire station at Livingston Avenue and Hamilton Road, was killed in a Tuesday crash on East Long Street, near North 11th Street. Walton was off-duty at the time, officials said in a Facebook post.

Walton had been riding a 2014 Suzuki motorcycle when he lost control of the bike and slammed into a pole, police said. He died of his injuries at Grant Medical Center.

Walton grew up in Columbus and graduated in 2003 from South Urban Academy High School in the city's South Side, officials said. He served in the U.S. Army from 2004-07 and was honorably discharged.

Walton "fought to get" placed at Station 23, officials said.

“One of the things that stands out to me about Derek is that he was so excited about becoming a paramedic, he started his training on his own time at Grant Hospital instead of waiting for the next Columbus Fire class,” said Assistant Chief James Cannell. “He will be greatly missed.”

The accident remains under investigation.

Photo credit: Columbus Division of Fire Facebook page