Woman Dead, Firefighter’s Face Fractured After Alabama Incident

December 15, 2017

A woman is dead and a firefighter’s face is fractured after an incident Thursday night in Escambia County, AL.

About 6:45 p.m., the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office responded to 9722 Appleton Road for a person having an asthma attack.  EMS and the Appleton Volunteer Fire Department were also dispatched and aware of a earlier domestic situation that had taken place at the residence, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

First responders staged a short distance away to await the arrival of law enforcement. But when they learned the victim was possibly not breathing, EMS and fire continued their response to the scene and found Christopher Wade Smith doing chest compressions  on his wife.

As Appleton Fire Chief Michael Tyler began to assist in giving medical attention, he was struck in his right eye by Christopher Smith, causing serious injury and fractures to  Tyler’s face. EMS loaded the patient and took her to the hospital where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton.

As law enforcement was arriving, Smith was attempting to leave the residence in his personal vehicle and ran into a firefighter’s vehicle causing damage.

Smith, 51, was charged with assault first degree and criminal mischief second degree. He remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.

The body of Smith’s wife was transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for autopsy to determine the cause of death. Smith was already out on bond from a domestic violence third degree charge  and the District Attorney’s Office has filed for a bond revocation.

The case remains under investigation.

Comments

6 Responses to “Woman Dead, Firefighter’s Face Fractured After Alabama Incident”

  1. A friend of a friend on December 20th, 2017 8:21 am

    The two gentlemen had a fallen out and had been arguing prior to this altercation. Things should never be taken at face value, there’s always more than one side to every story. I’m gonna pray for all parties involved in this unfortunate event!

  2. My Two Cents on December 18th, 2017 4:21 pm

    No where in this article does it say he was trying to evade law enforcement.
    If your significant other, or any family member for that matter were to have to go to the hospital by EMS you would leave in your vehicle and try to get there as quickly as possible just like anyone would do. He could’ve been emotionally unstable at the time all things considered and was attempting to leave to get to the hospital and while leaving he backed into a first responders personal vehicle. This has happened millions of times, it does not say that it was on purpose and it does not say he was attempting to evade law enforcement. Everyone is always to quick to jump to conclusions.

  3. Trocarman on December 18th, 2017 6:44 am

    “Good people” do not attack a fireman rendering aid. “Good people” do not try to evade law enforcement and run into a first responder’s vehicle.

  4. My Two Cents on December 16th, 2017 9:14 am

    Chris “Radar” was a volunteer firefighter for Appleton for a long time and a member of the Escambia County Rescue Squad for many years. There’s obviously more to the story, so everyone shouldn’t be so quick to judge. I knew Radar and his wife personally as well as Mike Tyler. As far as I know they’ve always been good people. But I’ve seen it happen to many times, not knowing the entire story can turn the best people in the world into something they aren’t.

  5. Shay on December 15th, 2017 2:29 pm

    Wow!! What a piece of crap!!

  6. A volunteer on December 15th, 2017 2:15 pm

    And we devote our time to help the community for what reason….
    Chief Tyler hope you are able to over come your injuries…Prayers for Mrs. Smith’s Family and for The Tyler’s also..

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News