A young fire chief in New Jersey passed away several months after being injured in a motor vehicle accident, according to a notice from the U.S. Fire Administration.
On July 16, 2022, Keyport (NJ) Fire Chief Timothy R. Pfleger, 32, was involved in a motor vehicle crash while returning from fire department mandated training at the Monmouth County Fire Academy. As Chief Pfleger was driving his Keyport Borough assigned vehicle, it was struck head-on by an oncoming vehicle.
Chief Pfleger sustained traumatic injuries and was transported via ambulance to Jersey Shore University Trauma Center. After being stabilized, he underwent surgery to reconstruct his right hip. In the days after his surgery, Chief Pfleger was transported to a long-term facility for further rehabilitation.
After approximately one month in the long-term rehab facility, he was able to be transported home to continue further rehab there. On September 30, 2022, Chief Pfleger was transported back to the hospital for a medical emergency and passed away. An autopsy determined that Chief Pfleger’s cause of death was pulmonary failure due to immobility produced by his injuries sustained in the crash.
“Chief Pfleger was an amazing firefighter, outstanding chief and above all a genuine loving friend. Anyone who had the honor of meeting him knows that his friendship will always be missed,” Alexander Mabe, vice president of the Keyport Fire Department, wrote in a statement posted to the Keyport Fire Patrol Facebook page.
