Houston Firefighter Killed In Head-On Crash Intentionally Caused the Accident

HOUSTON, TX -- The death of a Houston Firefighter who was killed in a head-on collision on Jan. 27 has now been ruled a suicide, investigators said.

Investigators now believe that Jason Hamilton, 43, a 12 year veteran of the Houston Fire Department, intentionally steered his pickup across a grassy median on Interstate 10, and into the path of oncoming traffic, killing himself and 61-year-old Shelley McKay who was driving an SUV in the westbound lane.

McKay’s daughter, Megan McKay, was flown by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition.

The crash happened shortly after 10 a.m. and snarled traffic lanes in both directions of I-10 for several hours as investigators worked the scene.

Investigators initially believed Hamilton’s vehicle blew a tire, or that he somehow lost control of his pickup and crossed into oncoming traffic.

However, investigators now believe the crash was deliberate and have ruled Hamilton’s death a suicide, and McKay’s death a homicide.

The Houston Professional Firefighters Association released the following statement on Tuesday:
“The troubling circumstances of Jason Hamilton’s death are a grim reminder of the prevalence of firefighter suicides and the terrible effects they have on families, friends and, in this case, innocent victims. Please continue to keep in your thoughts and prayers Jason’s wife, Lara, and their two sons, Cody and Bruce. We ask the same for the family of Shelley McKay, especially Ms. McKay’s daughter, Megan McKay, who was critically injured in the crash of the two vehicles. Looking ahead, we are working with the City of Houston, the Houston Fire Department, and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to find ways to further strengthen our wellness and suicide prevention programs for Houston firefighters. This is a growing problem in Houston and around the nation, and we want to help efforts to prevent tragedies like this one and too many before it.”

Hamilton worked most recently as the district chief's driver at Station 21 on Main Street near West Bellfort in southwest Houston.

Image/Shutterstock

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