A part-time De Soto Rural firefighter died May 5 in an off-duty crash on I-44 in Crawford County.
“It is with great sadness we announce the passing of part-time Firefighter Tommy Seegers,” the De Soto Rural Fire Protection District posted on Facebook. “Tommy was a beloved member of the DRFPD family and worked part time for Valle Ambulance District. Please pray for Tommy and his entire family during this difficult time; Tommy will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
John Scullin, De Soto Rural deputy fire chief, said Seegers, 48, of Imperial worked part time at Valle Ambulance District as a paramedic and worked full time as a paramedic for Abbott Ambulance. He believes Seegers previously had been a medic in the military.
Seegers had worked for De Soto Rural and Valle Ambulance for more than two years.
Jesse Barton, chief of EMS for Valle Ambulance District, said Seegers was a respectful and well-rounded person.
“He was very dedicated to his family and his son,” Barton said.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, at 5:39 p.m. May 5, Seegers was driving a 2014 Kia Cadenza west on I-44 in Crawford County, and at mile marker 212, the car ran off the right side of the road. Then the car returned to the road and struck the rear of a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado driven by Tommy Green, 66, of Cuba, Mo. The Kia overturned and caught fire.
Seegers, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene by Crawford Coroner Darren Dake, the report said.
No other injuries were reported.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home in Arnold. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until a funeral service at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at the funeral home, 1081 Jeffco Blvd. Memorials may be made to BackStoppers or World Eye Cancer Hope USA.