Chevy Gall, 16, a member of the Beaufort-Leslie Fire Department (BLFD), was killed answering a call for a reported water rescue Friday, April 4.

BLFD Chief Terry Feth described the experience in a social media post as, “(A) fire chief’s worst nightmare. We are heartbroken by the loss of one of our own. Chevy died while answering the call to help others.”

According to a report filed by Trooper H.  H. Hoeman with Troop C of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at 4:11 p.m. Gall was driving west on U.S. Highway 50 east of State Route 185 in a 2006 Kia Optima. He crossed the center line and struck the front of a 2023 Ram Cargo van driven by a 30-year-old Arnold man. Gall was not using a seat belt.

Gerald Ambulance Chief Anthony Milanowski says both Gerald ambulances were on calls at the time of the accident. An Owensville ambulance happened to be returning from a hospital transfer and came upon the accident scene. They transported Gall to Mercy Washington where he was pronounced dead at 5:07 p.m.

The driver of the van, who was using a seat belt, was transported to Mercy Washington with minor injuries.

The Missouri Fire Service Funeral Assistance Team said in a statement that Gall was a junior at Union High School and joined the fire department in 2024.

“Chevy had completed training in both fire suppression and water/ice rescue operations — the very type of call he was responding to at the time of his passing,” the statement read.