DAVENPORT, Fla. — An off-duty Polk County Fire Rescue firefighter and paramedic was killed in a crash Saturday morning on Interstate 4.
Brian Herr, 41, was heading west on I-4 between U.S. Highway 27 and Old Grade Road in Polk City when witnesses said he appeared to swerve into the middle lane just as another car was entering the lane, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. At no point, however, did it appear the two cars come into contact.
But as Herr's car swerved back into the inside lane, it began to hydroplane and spin, entering the center grass median and crashing into the group of trees, the agency said. The car then caught on fire.
Crews extinguished the fire and found Herr dead inside of the car.
The crash was reported around 5:30 a.m. near the exit to State Road 557.
"At the time of the crash it was dark, the roadway was wet, and there was very little ambient lighting in the area," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
Herr, originally from Chicago, was sworn in on April 14, 2023, and assigned to C-Shift on Rescue 7, fire rescue said. He obtained his paramedic certification at Paso-Hernando State College and was selected to speak as his class representative for PCFR New Hire Class 23-02.
Herr is survived by his two sons and his mother.
"We are all grieving at the loss of Firefighter/Paramedic Heer who was just starting out on his career with Polk County Fire Rescue. Firefighter/Paramedic Herr was an outstanding member of this department," Fire Chief Hezedean A. Smith, D.M., said in a statement. "His teamwork and positive attitude shined tremendously during his short time with Polk County Fire Rescue.
"He will be greatly missed. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers."
Traffic cameras at the time of the crash showed a single car off to the interstate median. Several lanes of traffic were blocked before the highway was completely shut down.
Lanes have since reopened but drivers can expect delays in the area.