WEST SALEM, Ohio — A news conference is expected to take place Thursday to update the investigation on the death of Town and Country Fire District Lt. Paul Mickolick, who was struck and killed by a vehicle while responding to a call last week.
Firefighters said the news conference will take place at the fire district station in West Salem. A spokesperson for the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Town and Country Fire Chief Adam Hory are expected to address the media.
What happened
According to troopers, Mickolick, 43, responded in his personal vehicle around 10:40 p.m. last Friday after a call came in about a driver who got his Ford F-150 stuck in a ditch while exiting a private field on Stratton Road in Congress Township.
Investigators said a 2006 Cadillac CTS, driven by a 64-year-old man, drove off the right side of the roadway, went into the ditch, and hit and killed Mickolick.
RELATED: First responder struck, killed while assisting driver in Wayne County
The man, who was getting assistance from Mickolick, was also struck and was flown by helicopter to the Cleveland Clinic Akron General with serious injuries, troopers said.
Mickolick worked as a flight paramedic with the Cleveland Clinic for 16 years before joining the Town and Country Fire District in 2022. He was married and had two children, according to his obituary.
State troopers said the accident and reconstruction reports are being finalized and will be sent to Wayne County prosecutors for review to determine possible charges.
The accident marked the second tragedy for the fire district in three years.
In 2022, Lt. Philip Wigal and a state trooper were finishing up paperwork when a semi hit their vehicles. Wigal was killed. The trooper was injured.
Funeral plans
Calling hours will take place at the Church of the Savior in Wooster from 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. on April 26. Funeral services will be held at the same church on April 27 at 2 p.m.
A full professional will follow to a grave site memorial at West Salem Cemetery, located at the corner of S. Lincoln St. and Depot St. in West Salem.
Donations for the family can be made out to Rachel Mickolick and either dropped off at the fire station or mailed to P.O. Box 175, West Salem, OH 44287. A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help the family.
