Fremont Sheriff Deputy on Crash that could have killed him: “I don’t remember a thing”
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ST. ANTHONY — A local sheriff’s deputy is back at work and recovering from severe injuries he received while responding to an accident.
“Never in a million years would I have thought it would have happened,” Fremont County Sheriff Deputy Joe Powell said in an interview with EastIdahoNews.com.
It’s been a week since Powell was seriously injured while responding to another crash. He says he can’t recall a thing.
“I don’t know and I don’t remember,” Powell said.
Powell and another deputy were on the scene of another wreck on highway 20 near Island Park when the accident happened.
“There was a crash, a vehicle versus deer, and we weren’t sure exactly where it was at,” said Powell. “We just knew it about 15 minutes from the (Montana) state line.”
That’s when another vehicle lost control and smashed into the patrol cars.
Powell’s leg was crushed and his collarbone was broken.
Another man, helping with the previous accident, was also hurt.
Powell’s father said he is grateful it wasn’t worse.
“I was probably expecting more but I felt lucky that he wasn’t hurt any worse,” Donald Powell said.
Deputy Powell and his colleagues know they risk their lives everyday to keep the community safe.
“We’re all aware of the danger of the job everyday and I think we’ll just move forward by supporting Joe and supporting the others that were injured in the accident,” Fremont Lt. Bart Quayle said.
“Law enforcement sacrifices a lot, but it’s well worth it,” said Dep. Joe Powell. “I love my job and I love working with the community and serving the community.”