A veteran firefighter with the East Branch Fire Department was killed Thursday night while responding to a crash involving a suspected drunk driver, according to New York State Police.
Assistant Chief Jason McGlone, 51, died after being electrocuted at the scene of the accident on State Highway 30 in the town of Hancock, NY. State Police say the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. on July 17, as McGlone responded in a rescue pumper to a report of a vehicle that struck a utility pole.
Investigators say a low-hanging electrical wire had come into contact with the top of the fire truck. When McGlone exited the vehicle and touched both the metal door and the ground, he was fatally electrocuted. Despite life-saving efforts at the scene, he was pronounced dead.
The crash that led to the emergency response involved a pickup truck driven by Joseph E. Bellows, 54, of Downsville, NY. Police say Bellows veered off the road, hitting a guardrail and a utility pole. He was transported to Delaware Valley Hospital for evaluation and treatment of injuries.
Following an investigation, Bellows was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated. He was issued appearance tickets and is scheduled to appear in Hancock Town Court on September 8, 2025.
Governor Kathy Hochul issued the following statement about McGlone’s death:
“Just weeks ago, we mourned the loss of one of New York’s bravest. Today, we grieve again over the loss of Assistant Chief Jason McGlone of the East Branch Fire Department, who tragically lost his life while responding to a motor vehicle accident. Chief McGlone’s 25 years of service within East Branch, including 15 years as an assistant chief, embodied the courage, commitment and selflessness that define New York’s volunteer firefighters. He represented the very best of what New Yorkers give to their communities in the name of public safety. My heart is with his loved ones, his fellow firefighters and the entire East Branch community during this difficult time.”
The investigation into McGlone’s death is ongoing.
Note: This story was updated on July 18 with Governor Kathy Hochul’s statement.
Image: Jason McGlone. (Credit: Facebook/Jason McGlone)