Barstow Fire Protection District firefighter David Spink was critically injured handling a traffic collision last month on Interstate 15. He has succumbed to his injuries Sunday morning, the Spink’s family said.
Spink had been in a coma with many significant injuries for the past month. He sustained major brain injuries including a traumatic brain injury with a Diffuse Axonal Injury (extreme whiplash) to where there was irreversible damage. He also had many strokes occur due to fatty pieces of bone marrow being dislodged, these strokes occurred on both sides of the brain. This, on top of the many injuries sustained throughout the rest of the body is enough to leave him in a state where he is bed ridden with no chance of being interactive with anyone. The family came together and made a decision to end his life support and to let him rest forever, the Spink family stated.
Spink died Sunday morning at Loma Linda University Hospital. Firefighters saluted and people paid tribute on every overpass Sunday evening during the procession for firefighter David Spink as they escorted his body to the mortuary in the high desert.
“Our hearts go out to Dave’s family, loved ones, friends and fellow Barstow Fire brothers,” said Barstow Fire Chief Nick DiNapoli, who asked the community to keep the Spink family in prayer and to respect their privacy.
Spink is survived by his wife, Coleen, his father, Walt and his brothers, Logan and Ryan. He is also survived by his son, Dallen, who is a Barstow firefighter/paramedic, according to Barstow Fire officials.
While firefighter crews were treating patients from the crash and prepared for clearing the scene a vehicle traveling at freeway speeds struck Spink early Sunday morning December 5th 2021. He sustained major injuries and was immediately treated by his crew to help sustain his life. He was then transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center by Mercy Air #66 from Barstow Community Hospital.
No other firefighters or bystanders were injured by the driver of the vehicle that hit Spink. The driver did remain on scene and no arrests were made, according to CHP spokesman Bradley Walters.
Celebration of life arrangements for David Spink are still being planned and will be announced as soon as they are finalized.
Every state now has a move over law on their books, generally requiring drivers to give at least one-lane buffer to any stopped emergency vehicles. These laws require drivers approaching stationary emergency vehicles that are displaying flashing lights – including tow truck wreckers or utility vehicles displaying flashing lights traveling in the same direction, to vacate the lane closest to them if safe and possible to do so, or to at least SLOW DOWN. “Remember it could be you or your loved ones they are helping”.
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