Capt. Nicholas Patrick Van Dam dies in fatal Jones County car crash
Fatal Jones County car crash death of Capt. Nicholas Patrick Van Dam
Law enforcement officials have confirmed that a firefighter from the Murdo fire department met his untimely demise following a one-car accident that transpired on the afternoon of Saturday. Further details concerning the crash indicate that Captain Nicholas Patrick Van Dam, who was 37 years of age, was operating his 1989 Ford Fire Tender vehicle. His response to a fire incident located to the north of Draper was underway when this unfortunate event took place.
According to initial information gathered by authorities, the accident occurred approximately four miles north of Draper along 279th Street. Reports suggest that Mr. Van Dam’s vehicle departed the designated roadway, subsequently rolling over and causing him to be thrown from it. Medical personnel pronounced him deceased at the scene where the accident unfolded. An autopsy might be conducted to provide additional clarification on the circumstances surrounding his death.
Investigative duties have been assigned to the South Dakota Highway Patrol regarding this incident. The information currently available is considered preliminary. Captain Van Dam’s fatal accident was confirmed by local authorities in Jones County. It is reported that he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, a detail provided by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. All information regarding this developing situation remains tentative until further notice.
