Los Angeles Battalion Chief Dies after Medical Emergency, Crash

Editor's note: The U.S. Fire Administration confirmed that Chief Boyd's death was an on-duty death earlier today.

Los Angeles firefighters are mourning the loss of a battalion chief who suffered a medical emergency before crashing a fire department vehicle Friday morning.

Jerome Boyd, 55, driving a fire department vehicle near downtown when he suffered the unknown emergency and crashed into a pickup truck. 

Boyd was rushed to California hospital where he died, according to television station KTLA. 

“I join the men and women of the LAFD in mourning Chief Boyd’s sudden passing,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said in a statement. “It is always an unexpected tragedy to lose one of our own and my thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”

Firefighters lined the streets of downtown when Boyd was transported to the coroner's office for an the autopsy from the L.A. County coroner's office .

The 30-year veteran was assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau.

“Firefighters put their lives on the line for our safety every day. And when we lose one of these brave first responders, everyone in our city feels the pain of that loss," Mayor Eric Garcetti said." My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and colleagues of Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Jerome Boyd. I join all Angelenos in mourning his passing today, and honoring his 30 years of dedicated service to our city.”