West Memphis mourns fallen firefighter

Lang, 20, struck by 18-wheeler assisting with crash

By JOHN RECH

news@theeveningtimes.com

The West Memphis Fire Department was deeply saddened by the loss of Fire_ghter Jason Lang over the weekend. Local _re departments mourned the loss of Lang, age 20, by banding their badges and crests in black. Lang had just joined the West Memphis Fire Department in December 2021.

The WMFD department statement said early Saturday morning, February 26, 2022, Lang lost his life in the line of duty bravely doing his job and encountering the kind of dangers that our EMTs face every day along the interstate as he assisted at a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 40in St. Fransis County.

The Arkansas State Police reported cloudy and wet conditions at the time of the crash. Three Frieghtliner tractor trailers piled up traveling westbound at mile marker 244 at 5:37 a.m., about an hour before sunrise. The chain reaction crash happened as the driver of the _rst truck lost control on the slick highway and rolled over with the trailer remaining in the right lane. Lang, driving his personal vehicle to training in Pine Bluff stopped to help. Two more trucks plowed through the wreckage. Four truckers were injured and transported to hospitals. Lang, a pedestrian, was out of his vehicle rendering aid when fatally stuck by the third truck.

West Memphis Fire Chief Barry Ealy recapped the tragic crash.

“Fire_ghter, Jason Lang immediately, and without hesitation, bravely made the ultimate sacri_ce, and he will always be remembered for his legacy and bravery for serving others,” said Ealy. “Fire_ghter Lang was en route to an EMT clinical training class in Pine Bluff when he stopped to render aid during a traf_c accident alongside the interstate and was struck and killed by an 18-wheeler passing by.”

Mayor Marco McClendon asked for prayers and remembrances as funeral plans were announced.

“I call on the people of West Memphis and the entire Mid-South region to join me in remembering him, and continue to pray for his family, friends, and our _rst responders,” said Mayor Marco Mc-Clendon.

A noon funeral was planned for today, Wednesday, March 2, at First Baptist Church West Memphis. Visitation was set for 11 a.m. A Sea of Red procession to Memphis International Airport was scheduled at 1:30 p.m., following the funeral. The procession plans to route down Missouri Street and East on Broadway through the city.

Photo courtesy of the West Memphis Fire Department

West Memphis social media sites shared this tribute photo honoring Firefighter Jason Lang, who was killed while assisting a rescue operation over the weekend.