Firefighter killed in Wacousta fatal crash was 'just a great guy,' colleague said

LANSING TWP. — Johnathan Esch had a drive for helping people in need, and he poured that compassion into his job as a firefighter/paramedic with the Lansing Township Fire Department, a colleague said.

"He's just been unbelievable in the paramedic side of his job," said Todd Hendy, the township's fire chief. "He didn't care if you had 2 cents or $2 million, he treated you with respect. He was just a great guy."

Hendy and his colleagues in the firefighting ranks were reeling from the loss of Esch, 30, of Grand Haven, who was killed in a tragedy Saturday that also claimed the life of Esch's brother-in-law, Daniel Harris, 42, of Grand Ledge, and injured 14 other people.

Esch and Harris were part of a large group of extended family members who were walking along South Wacousta Road, near Corrison Road, when a suspected drunken driver drove into them, police said.

Services for Esch will be June 8, although arrangements were incomplete on Wednesday, Hendy said.

At least 80 people attended a public prayer service in honor of Esch and Harris on Wednesday evening at West Lansing Church of Christ in Delta Township. Vehicles filled the parking lot of the two-story brick church off West St. Joe Highway and people filed inside just before 7 p.m. Local media were turned away at the door.

The church is collecting online donations for the victims and their families on its website.

Obituaries had not been published for the two men as of Thursday morning, but the church posted about Harris.

"Daniel Harris, a loving father to his family leaves behind his wife, Jessica, and their four children," the church said in a statement on its website.

Esch grew up in the DeWitt area, Hendy said. His wife, Erika, was seriously injured in the crash and was released from the hospital on Tuesday, the fire chief said.

Johnathan Esch had been with the township fire department for about four years, starting out with EMT certification but later completing paramedic training, Hendy said.

While taking a fire instructor course, he put together a resource book for ambulance crews to present to the class, and other departments wanted to add it to their rigs, Hendy said.

"He presented his resource book to the metro chiefs, and everybody wanted a copy," Hendy said. "It was for anything from somebody struggling with alcohol abuse, drug abuse, spousal abuse, homelessness − anything you can think of − he had a resource to try and help them get back on their feet."

Esch was "just a real joy to be around, just a great guy, a jokester," he said.

John Esch had been married to Erika for six months, the fire department said in a news release.

"Lansing Township would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our neighboring fire departments for providing unwavering support during this very difficult time," the department said in the release. "These departments have provided staffing coverage to our personnel who responded to the scene and those that regularly worked with John while they grieve."

The agency said it is "comforted and grateful for the care and support from the fire service and the surrounding community for John and his family."

The department said memorial contributions and sentiments can be sent to the Lansing Township Professional Firefighters Union Local 2258, 3301 W. MIchigan Ave., Lansing, 48917.

Rachel Greco contributed to this report.

Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on X @KBPalm_lsj.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Firefighter killed in Wacousta fatal crash was 'just a great guy'