Wisconsin Fire Captain Died Helping 'Overwhelmed' Driver

WISCONSIN --A Wisconsin community is mourning the loss of one of its own after a Lake Mills Fire Department captain died on New Year's eve as he was trying to help a person in distress.

According to fire officials, Lake Mills Fire Department Capt. Christopher Truman was driving east on Highway 12 just before 7 p.m. on New Year's Eve when he happened upon a crash on the side of the road.

Officials say Truman pulled his car over, and was on his way to help the driver of the vehicle who crashed, when Truman was struck on the side of the highway by a drunk driver.

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Wisconsin Patch has reached out to the Lake Mills Fire Department to find out if there are ways to help Truman's family during this extremely difficult time. We will update this story as soon as we find out.

Officials say Truman, 46, was transported to a nearby hospital, however his injuries were too much to overcome, and he died that evening, according to the Dane County Medical Examiner's office. He served the department for the last 13 years.

Police say Samuel Patrick Cremers was arrested on suspicion of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and causing injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle.

According to a message from the driver's family that was posted on the Lake Mills Fire Department Facebook Page, Truman saw that the woman who crashed on the freeway was "afraid and overwhelmed." Truman told the woman to go back in her car to rest while he went to fix a bumper that was hanging from her vehicle. Once he fixed the bumper, he told the woman he'd escort her off the highway to safety. He never made it.

"I know that all of you are grieving. I don’t know if this will help but your captain saved my daughter’s life last night. My daughter had lost control of the car and skidded," the woman's family wrote. "My heart is in so much pain for all of you. He is my hero. Please let his wife/family know he is forever our angel. I’m just so very sorry.”

Image Via Lake Mills Fire Department