POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A 41-year-old firefighter/paramedic who was hired at Polk County Fire Rescue earlier this year was killed in a crash on Saturday, according to a news release.
Brian Herr was off duty when he was involved in the single-vehicle crash around 5:30 a.m. on the westbound side of Interstate 4 between U.S. Highway 27 and Old Grade Road, not far from Polk City, according to PCFR and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
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Herr lived in Wesley Chapel and was a first-generation fire service member, hired at PCFR in March 2023 and sworn in April 14, the release states. After obtaining his fire standards in Chicago, Illinois, Herr relocated to Florida and obtained his paramedic certification at Pasco-Hernando State College. The firefighter/paramedic had been selected to speak as his class representative for PCFR New Hire Class 23-02, according to the release.
Polk County Fire Chief Hezedean A. Smith said in a statement that Herr was just starting out on his career at PCFR.
“Firefighter/Paramedic Herr was an outstanding member of this department. 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,” Smith said.
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Herr was the sole occupant of the vehicle when it crashed, deputies said.
According to a PCSO crash report, evidence at the scene and witness statements indicate he was traveling in the inside lane, attempting to merge into the middle lane at the same time that an unknown vehicle was transitioning from the outside lane to the middle lane. Herr then reportedly swerved back into the inside lane as the unknown vehicle swerved back into the outside lane, deputies said, adding there was no impact between the two vehicles.
As Herr reentered the inside lane, his car started to hydroplane and spin in a counter-clockwise direction, deputies said. His car entered the center grass median of I-4 and its passenger side struck a group of trees, causing the vehicle to immediately become engulfed in flames. Herr was found inside of the vehicle after the flames were extinguished, deputies said.
At the time of the crash, it was dark outside, the roadway was wet and there was very little ambient lighting, the report states.
Herr is survived by his two sons and his mother.
More information regarding funeral arrangements would be shared at a later date, according to the release.
The crash prompted lane closures on I-4 for around four hours and is still being investigated by Polk County deputies.
Note: This map depicts the general area of this crash and not necessarily its exact location.
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