Firefighter intentionally caused crash that killed self, woman, police say

HOUSTON – A fatal two-vehicle accident that was caused by a Houston firefighter on Jan. 27 is now being ruled as a suicide, officials confirm.

Jason D. Hamilton, a Houston Firefighter, was killed in the accident, which was reported about 10:13 a.m. on the Katy Freeway west at Peach Ridge Road.

The Houston Professional Fire Firefighters association confirmed Hamilton's death was a suicide. Waller County deputies said he was driving a black pickup truck traveling east on I-10 when he intentionally crossed the median into the westbound lanes and crashed into another vehicle.

Hamilton was killed, along with the driver of the other vehicle, 61-year-old Shelley McKay. The passenger of the other vehicle, Shelley's daughter Megan McKay, was taken in critical condition by LifeFlight to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, deputies said. 

Hamilton, 43, was a 12-year veteran of the Houston Fire Department. He was working most recently as the district chief's driver at Station 21 on Main Street near West Bellfort in southwest Houston.

He leaves behind a wife and two children.

The 61-year-old McKay was laid to rest in Bastrop on Tuesday.

In a statement to Channel 2 News, her husband Pat McKay said:

"We are saddened to learn that this was an intentional act. Mr Hamilton's actions have devastated our family. My wife was a beautiful exuberant person in love with life, her family, community and friends."

HPFFA President Patrick M. Lancton released the following statement:

“The troubling circumstances of Jason Hamilton’s death are a grim reminder of the prevalence of firefighter suicides and the terrible effects they have on families, friends and, in this case, innocent victims. Houston firefighters continue to grieve for the Hamilton and McKay families.

“Please continue to keep in your thoughts and prayers Jason’s wife, Lara, and their two sons, Cody and Bruce. We ask the same for the family of Shelley McKay, especially Ms. McKay’s daughter, Megan McKay, who was critically injured in the crash of the two vehicles.

“Looking ahead, we are working with the City of Houston, the Houston Fire Department, and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to find ways to further strengthen our wellness and suicide prevention programs for Houston firefighters. This is a growing problem in Houston and around the nation, and we want to help efforts to prevent tragedies like this one and too many before it.”