Longtime fireman among 3 killed in fiery car crash, NC officials say. ‘We are hurting’

A “dedicated” fireman with more than 30 years of service under his belt was killed along with two others in a fiery crash in Guilford County over the weekend, North Carolina troopers said.

Now the Greensboro community is mourning longtime Engineer Richard “Rick” Murrell, who died when an out-of-control car hit him as he drove along North Carolina Highway 61 on Saturday, July 9, news outlets reported. He was 58.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Engineer Rick Murrell,” Greensboro Fire Department Chief Jim Robinson said in a statement, according to WFMY. “Rick was a great husband, an awesome father to three amazing children, a great firefighter, and a dedicated member of our family. We are hurting today as a family.”

The crash occurred just before 5 p.m. near Turner Smith Road in Guilford County, the Greensboro News & Record reported, citing Highway Patrol.

A 16-year-old driving a 2012 Dodge Charger was headed northbound on NC-16 when he lost control and struck a Jeep Grand Cherokee coming from the opposite direction, the newspaper reported. The Charger burst into flames, trapping a 15-year-old and a 26-year-old. Both were passengers and died at the scene, authorities said.

Murrell, who was driving the Jeep, was also killed, according to WGHP. His wife suffered “serious life-threatening injuries” and was taken to a hospital. Her condition wasn’t known as of Monday, July 11.

McClatchy News reached out to North Carolina State Highway Patrol on July 11 and was awaiting a response.

Murrell was assigned to Station 5 and had been with the City of Greensboro Fire Department since July 1, 1989, WFMY reported. He worked his way up to the rank of engineer and also served on the department’s Urban Search & Rescue team.

“There aren’t enough words to speak to the impact that Rick Murrell has left on anyone who knew him,” a statement posted on the fire department’s Facebook page reads. “As he is remembered by stories, photos, laughs and tears ... he is recognized for the impact that he has left on our community.”

Tributes for Murrell also poured in on social media as the community honored the 33-year veteran.

“Rick was an absolutely wonderful human being, a solid fireman that was appreciated & respected by all,” the Professional Firefighters of Greensboro wrote on Facebook. “Rest easy, brother.”

Union President Dave Coker remembered Murrell as a “Friend to many. Universally respected. Veteran. Blue collar intellectual.”

“He will be sorely missed by family, friends, and fellow firefighters,” he wrote on Twitter..

The 16-year-old driver of the Dodge Charger was hospitalized with serious injuries and faces three misdemeanors, including death by motor vehicle, WFMY reported, citing Highway Patrol.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Greensboro is about 80 miles northwest of Raleigh.

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