Durant Firefighter Matt Fisher is in critical but stable condition at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics following a May 2 collision between a Durant fire truck and a commercial field sprayer that resulted in five injuries and one arrest.
Two Durant fire trucks were responding to a call about 8 p.m. when one truck was struck in the 1200 block of Vail Avenue by a TerraGator sprayer operated by Kent Reimers, 31, of Walcott, according to Muscatine County sheriff’s reports.
The impact crushed the driver’s side of the fire truck, injuring all five firefighters within the vehicle. As the second fire truck stopped to render aid, Reimers left the scene in the TerraGator, the report said.
Durant police, Wilton fire, and Durant ambulance were dispatched to respond to the crash. Rescue crews used hydraulic equipment to cut open the cab of the fire truck and extract the driver.
Fisher, who was seated behind the driver, was transported by ambulance to Genesis Medical Center in Davenport with significant injuries. From there, he was airlifted to UIHC.
The four other injured firefighters –identified by the city of Durant as fire chief Jared Semsch, second assistant Andy Gruman, first assistant Dan Sterner, and Adam Sterner – were treated at the scene and released.
Investigators located the TerraGator at Liqui-Grow in Walcott. After identifying Reimers as the driver, he was interviewed and arrested.
Reimers currently faces two charges: operating while under the influence - first offense, and leaving the scene of an accident - failure to provide aid or information.
According to his arrest report, Reimers admitted to consuming whiskey prior to driving the TerraGator. He failed two out of three field sobriety tests.
The Muscatine County sheriff noted that the Scott County sheriff, Durant police, Walcott police, Iowa State Patrol, and the Muscatine County Attorney’s Office are assisting with the investigation.
The Wilton Fire Department also assisted by responding to the initial service call that the Durant Department had been assigned.
Community rallies
Fisher, 23, is described by his family as a kind man who is heavily invested in public service. In addition to volunteering with the Durant Fire Department, he is a driver for Durant Ambulance and a reserve police officer for the city of Durant. He balances these roles with a full-time job at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop.
“Matt is very caring and compassionate. He’s a great friend and neighbor,” said his mother, Julie Fisher. “He’s hilarious and quick witted, and very ambitious.”
His longtime girlfriend, Rita Urmie, called him the most caring and giving person she’s ever met. “He simply loves helping people,” she said.
The family — which also includes Matt’s brothers, Logan and Jake, and his father, L.J. Fisher — is keeping most details of his health private at this time.
“He remains in critical condition, but his injuries are not life-threatening,” said aunt Deb Lorenz. “He has a care team that includes physicians from multiple disciplines, who are working together to develop a treatment plan for him.”
Lorenz shared that Fisher has several broken bones, and indicated his recovery process will require multiple surgeries and rehabilitation. Last week, UIHC operated on his left leg to repair and stabilize it with a pin.
“It’s going to be a long-term recovery,” she said. “Once he reaches a milestone, they will set another milestone. Luckily, as a firefighter, he’s physically fit. He’s also health conscious with his diet. All of these things bode well for his recovery.”
In light of significant interest from both the community and media, Lorenz has stepped into the role of family spokesperson. She said everyone is thankful for the outpouring of support.
“Wherever Julie goes, people don’t ask anything from her. They just give her hugs and say things like ‘We care’ and ‘We love you,’ and ‘Tell Matt we’re thinking of him,”’ says Lorenz.
The collision and Fisher’s injuries have made headlines over the past week, both locally and nationally within the firefighting community.
“We are hearing from firefighters across the country — Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado, Idaho — all of them expressing concern and prayers,” she said.
“Matt is a really a humble person. I think he’s going to be shocked by what’s going on while he’s in the hospital,” Lorenz said.
How you can help
Liberty Trust & Savings Bank in Durant is currently accepting monetary donations for the Matt Fisher benefit fund. All contributions will be used to pay for expenses not covered by insurance. Checks can be mailed to the bank at PO Box 1118, or dropped off in-person at 501 8th Ave.
Money can also be donated through the Wilton Fire Department boot drive or a GoFundMe account established by Matt’s cousin, Amy Crnecki.
Online boot drive donations can be made via Venmo (@Wilton-Fire) or PayPal (@wiltonfire).
Crnecki’s GoFundMe can be found at gofundme.com/f/support-matts-recovery-medical-bills.
Durant Police Officer Brian Utter is selling “challenge coins” that feature Matt Fisher’s reserve officer badge number on one side, and his firefighter number on the other. Coins can be pre-ordered for $10, and 100 percent of sales will go toward the Matt Fisher benefit account. Orders can be placed through Venmo (@butter803).
DFD Benefit May 27
The Durant Fire Department will be hosting a benefit for Matt Fisher 4-11 p.m. May 27 at the Durant Community Center.
The event will feature food from Pit Crew BBQ and Jeff’s Market & Catering, a silent auction, and a live auction. The fire department notes that the live auction will include numerous firearms and other big-ticket items.
Food will be served starting at 5 p.m., with the live auction beginning at 9 p.m.
Anyone interested in donating auction items is asked to contact the Durant Fire Department Facebook page or call Durant City Hall at 563-785-4451.