Three killed in deadly crashes on area roads Sunday
Surrey firefighters had heavy hearts Sunday after finding out one of their own died in a car accident on his way to work.
Ryan Hammerer, 44, a member of Surrey Fire and Rescue for 15 years, died when his Jeep, travelling eastbound in the 10400-block Ladner Trunk Road, went off the road and hit a parked semi-trailer truck.
Hammerer was the only occupant when the 8:45 a.m. accident happened. No one in the truck was hurt.
Delta police spokesman Sharlene Brooks said it’s unclear what happened. “My understanding is the vehicle went off the road and struck a stationary semi-truck,” she said.
Brooks said she didn’t know why the truck was parked. “It could have been broken down ... ” she said.
Surrey Fire Fighters Association president Mike McNamara said it was a difficult day for firefighters at the Fleetwood hall where Hammerer was based. “He was very well-liked and respected,” said McNamara. “This is just horrible.”
Hammerer had a wife and two young children.
One of the big things Hammerer did at Christmas was help with the Bright Nights event at Stanley Park, which raised money for the B.C. Firefighters Burn Fund.
“He did a tremendous amount of work for the Bright Nights event,” said McNamara.
The Delta accident came just after a head-on car crash that claimed the lives of two people on King George Boulevard between 80th and 82nd avenues. The road was closed most of Sunday as police investigated.
” ... It appears as though both vehicles were occupied by only the drivers. Both of which passed away at the scene of the crash,” police said.