DAYTON -- Dayton Fire Capt. Barry Cron was hit while trying to help others. It's a danger all first responders know too well. Dayton Police officer Willie Hooper could not believe what he was hearing because he had just gone through a similar crash and lived to talk about it.
"The firefighter had just gotten hit on 35 and thought 'Oh my goodness' and it just brought memories to me," Hooper said.
Those memories are all painful and scary.
"I can see myself going through the air ... getting hit with the car and it's more like picturing him do the same thing," said Hooper who was hit while laying out stop sticks.
Cron is on Hooper's mind.
"I can just about assure you I know every firefighter ... just like family. His mind was to get to that person and get them first aid and do whatever he could, he's not worried about his surroundings."
Hooper's in good spirits and back on the job but is still recovering. He has a concussion and some back pain and is in physical therapy.
"Some days you have your good days and some days you have your bad days ... today is a good day," said Hooper.
Trooper Brent Hill is someone who Hooper thinks of often. Hill was struck and injured during a crash
"I spoke to the family, they're in very high spirits right now, and my prayers goes out to him and I told the family the same thing"
Hooper says with three first responder-involved crashes happening so close to one another - especially with lights blaring around them - it should be a wake up call.
"I don't know if it's just people not paying attention, but this is serious," said Hooper, "It's obvious God is looking out for us, because apparently the people aren't."
Officer Hooper says he is going to visit Capt. Cron as soon as he's up for some company. He also plans to catch up with Trooper Hill and his family again.
"The firefighter had just gotten hit on 35 and thought 'Oh my goodness' and it just brought memories to me," Hooper said.
Those memories are all painful and scary.
"I can see myself going through the air ... getting hit with the car and it's more like picturing him do the same thing," said Hooper who was hit while laying out stop sticks.
Cron is on Hooper's mind.
"I can just about assure you I know every firefighter ... just like family. His mind was to get to that person and get them first aid and do whatever he could, he's not worried about his surroundings."
Hooper's in good spirits and back on the job but is still recovering. He has a concussion and some back pain and is in physical therapy.
"Some days you have your good days and some days you have your bad days ... today is a good day," said Hooper.
Trooper Brent Hill is someone who Hooper thinks of often. Hill was struck and injured during a crash
"I spoke to the family, they're in very high spirits right now, and my prayers goes out to him and I told the family the same thing"
Hooper says with three first responder-involved crashes happening so close to one another - especially with lights blaring around them - it should be a wake up call.
"I don't know if it's just people not paying attention, but this is serious," said Hooper, "It's obvious God is looking out for us, because apparently the people aren't."
Officer Hooper says he is going to visit Capt. Cron as soon as he's up for some company. He also plans to catch up with Trooper Hill and his family again.