The truck was acquired from the West Volunteer Fire Department, and it was one of the units that was used after the deadly April 2013 fertilizer plant explosion.

To honor the bravery of the first responders on April 17, 2013 the China Spring Volunteer Fire Department crew decided to create a new mascot to feature on the truck.

The mascot is a cougar with a hat with the number 417 on it to mark the date of the explosion.

Saturday in the westbound lanes of the expressway not far from the Basilica. The crash caused traffic on the expressway  from Donna to San Juan for hours.

     Officers said the driver lost control trying to get onto the ramp. The crash remains under investigation.

     The firefighters' injuries are considered non-life threatening. They have been released from the hospital.

Just before 6:30 a.m., Kumar Amandeep, 33, of West Hill, California, was operating a 2017 Freightliner tractor trailer and traveling southbound when he lost control of his semi.

He struck a 2006 Kenworth Fire Rescue truck that was on the shoulder with its emergency equipment activated.

Amandeep’s semi-truck then separated from the trailer and overturned, striking Chief Kenneth Priddy and Assistant Chief Steven Wilson with the Smiths Grove Fire Department

Asst. Chief Wilson was transported to the Medical Center in Bowling Green with non-life threatening injuries.