Yellow Medicine County, MN — September 26, 2025, Patrick Remiger was killed in a fire truck accident at about 6:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of 490th Street north of Cottonwood.

Authorities said a Wood Lake fire truck was heading north near 160th Avenue when it rolled into a ditch. It has been returning to the station after participating in homecoming festivities at Lakeview School.

A passenger, retired firefighter Patrick Steven Remiger, 43, died in the crash, according to authorities.

The firefighter who was driving the truck is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, authorities said, but no charges have been field at this point. He and his 6-year-old son were injured in the crash.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Yellow Medicine County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people hear that a fire truck ran off the road and killed a passenger, especially with a child on board, it's only natural to ask: How could that possibly happen? Fire trucks aren’t designed to be high-speed vehicles, and in most cases, they’re driven by highly trained professionals. So when one ends up in a ditch, killing someone inside, it demands a clear and thorough investigation.

In this case, reports suggest the fire truck had just finished participating in a local parade and was on its way back to the station. It’s not clear whether the vehicle was speeding, whether road conditions were a factor or whether there was some mechanical failure. But there is one detail that stands out: authorities suspect the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

If that's true, it raises deeply troubling questions, not only about the driver’s conduct but also about the oversight within the department. For instance, how was someone allegedly impaired allowed behind the wheel of a fire truck with passengers, including a 6-year-old child, after a public event? Was anyone else in a position to recognize warning signs and intervene?

From a legal standpoint, the presence of alcohol in a case like this dramatically alters the landscape. Fire trucks are municipal vehicles, and in many states, they enjoy certain legal immunities, but those immunities often don’t extend to conduct involving gross negligence or criminal acts like driving under the influence. That opens the door to accountability not just for the individual firefighter, but potentially for the department if policies or supervision broke down.

That’s why the key to understanding what happened here will be evidence: toxicology reports, vehicle telemetry data (if available), statements from witnesses at the event and any records of alcohol use or prior disciplinary history for the driver. This kind of fact-finding isn’t just about blame. It’s about making sure something like this doesn’t happen again.

Key Takeaways:

• It's unclear why the fire truck left the roadway. Alcohol is suspected, but further evidence is needed.
• If the driver was impaired, the fire department's role in supervision and safety procedures must be examined.
• Municipal vehicles may be protected under some immunity laws, but gross negligence or DUI often pierces that shield.
• Evidence like toxicology reports, eyewitness accounts and department policies will be crucial in determining accountability.
• Even community events like parades must follow strict operational safeguards when large vehicles and public safety are involved.