Crash claims life of firefighter

A Jack County volunteer firefighter was killed in a crash Wednesday morning.

While off duty, Jan Russel “Rusty” Cook, 57, was traveling south on Hwy. 59 about 20 miles north of Jacksboro when the 2018 Dodge Caravan Russel was driving was struck by a 2017 Ford F-150 driven by Colby Charles Cosper, 35, of Clifton.

Clifton was traveling north when his pickup crossed the center stripe while trying to negotiate a hill with a curve in the highway. Cook was unable to make an evasive maneuver as the vehicles crested the hill.

Cook was pronounced dead at the scene. Cosper was transported by air ambulance to John Peter Smith Hospital with serious injuries.

He died from the injuries at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Dan Buesing said the road conditions were clear and dry and the crash is under investigation.

According to a Facebook post by Jack County Rural Fire Department Chief Jim Richardson, Cook served with the Newport Volunteer Fire Department for nine years and held the offices of secretary and treasurer. 

Correction Aug. 4, 2018: Previously, this article incorrectly stated the crash occurred Thursday morning. We regret the error.