Two Firefighters DIE In Head-On Collision

Ambulance driving on urban street with lights flashing.

Two heroic firefighter-paramedics serving their Arizona community were killed in a horrific head-on collision caused by a reckless driver who crossed the centerline, striking their ambulance and ending the lives of three people in an instant.

Story Highlights

Brenna Kulikowski, 31, and Damon Thompson, 21, died while returning from a patient transfer on September 14, 2025
A westbound vehicle crossed the centerline on State Route 260, causing the fatal head-on collision
The crash highlights dangerous conditions on rural Arizona highways lacking proper safety barriers
Timber Mesa Fire District faces operational challenges after losing two critical first responders

Tragic Loss of Public Servants

Brenna Kulikowski, 31, and Damon Thompson, 21, were killed September 14, 2025, around 10:15 p.m. while returning to Show Low after completing an interfacility patient transfer. The Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District firefighter-paramedics were traveling eastbound on State Route 260 when a westbound passenger vehicle crossed the centerline near milepost 319, between Heber-Overgaard and Show Low. All three individuals involved were pronounced dead at the scene.

Fire Chief Randy Chevalier described the scene as “horrific” and praised both firefighters for their dedication and exceptional skills. Governor Katie Hobbs expressed heartbreak over the loss, extending condolences to the families and first responder community. The Arizona Department of Public Safety launched an immediate investigation into the crash circumstances, though no preliminary findings have been released.

Rural Highway Safety Concerns

State Route 260’s two-lane configuration through eastern Arizona presents inherent dangers, particularly during nighttime hours when visibility decreases. The winding rural highway lacks median barriers that could prevent vehicles from crossing into oncoming traffic. This tragedy underscores the vulnerability of emergency responders who frequently travel these dangerous routes during medical transfers and emergency calls throughout sparsely populated regions.

The crash location between Heber-Overgaard and Show Low represents a critical transportation corridor for emergency services. Rural EMS providers face elevated risks due to frequent highway travel, often covering vast distances to reach medical facilities. Limited traffic enforcement and infrastructure improvements on remote stretches leave first responders exposed to preventable dangers from negligent drivers.

Community Impact and Operational Challenges

Show Low and surrounding Navajo County communities depend heavily on a small cadre of trained EMS professionals. The simultaneous loss of two experienced providers creates significant operational strain on the Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District. The department must now adjust staffing levels and potentially rely on mutual aid agreements to maintain adequate emergency coverage for local residents.

Beyond operational concerns, the tragedy devastates the tight-knit first responder community throughout eastern Arizona. Both firefighters represented the selfless dedication that defines public service, regularly risking their lives to protect others. Their deaths serve as a stark reminder of the daily dangers faced by those who answer the call to serve, even during routine medical transfers that should pose minimal risk.