A trip to acquire an antique fire engine turned tragic as a traffic accident Saturday morning claimed the life of Fire District 6 Firefighter Rick Streissguth, 45, and his brother-in-law Doug Jacobsen, 49.
Streissguth’s son, Jacob, 13, was badly injured but was reported to be improving in a Missoula, Mont., hospital Sunday night.
The accident happened about 8 a.m. Saturday on Interstate 90 near Anaconda, about an hour west of Bozeman, said Dawn Johnson, public information officer for Fire District 6.
The Clark County men were in a Ford F-350 pickup heading eastbound toward Bozeman. Their goal was to pick up the 12th rig in a collection of antique fire engines. They were pulling a fifth-wheel trailer and intended to tow back the fire rig.
The pickup left the freeway and tumbled down an embankment, Johnson said. The two men died on impact. The Anaconda Fire Department responded and the Montana State Patrol investigated. The Butte-area coroner ruled the deaths accidental.
Jacob Streissguth was taken to Anaconda Community Hospital and later transferred to St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.
The Streissguth name is synonymous with firefighting in Clark County.
Rick’s father, Dick Streissguth, began serving the fire district in 1954 as a volunteer. He was fire chief from 1977 to 1994 and is fire district board secretary. Rick’s brother, Steve Streissguth, is a deputy chief with the Vancouver Fire Department.
“The Streissguth family is extremely close. These two were like brothers and their contributions to this community will continue on through the lives they have touched.” Johnson said. “Not only have two families been broken by this tragic event, but Fire District 6 has lost one of its best.”
Rick Streissguth is survived by his wife, Jennifer, a 15-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, son Jacob, and the children’s mother, Erin Rose. Doug Jacobsen was a business manager for Snap-on Tools and is survived by his wife, Kay Streissguth-Jacobsen.
The fire district brought in chaplains to meet with family members and district personnel.
Rick Streissguth had been with the district since 1980. Fire District 6 serves about 66,000 residents in the communities of Hazel Dell, Felida, Salmon Creek, Sherwood, and Mount Vista. The district has about 56 paid firefighters and about 28 volunteers.
Details on a memorial will be announced. The families have established a Streissguth/Jacobsen Memorial fund for Mackenzie and Jacob. Donations can be made at any branch of People’s Community Federal Credit Union.
