Drugs, alcohol not a factor in firefighter’s motorcycle death

ALACHUA – Neither drugs nor alcohol were contributing factors in an August accident that claimed the life of a High Springs firefighter, Alachua police say.

High Springs Firefighter Chad Hood, 35, was killed on Aug. 2 while riding his motorcycle when the driver of a minivan reportedly pulled in front of him.  The accident happened around 6:37 a.m. near a Sunoco gas station in the area of the Turkey Creek neighborhood.

Hood was driving a Suzuki motorcycle northbound on U.S. Highway 441 in Alachua when he collided with a Volkswagen minivan being driven by Jason Davis.  The minivan reportedly pulled out of the Sunoco gas station and crossed in front of Hood’s line of travel, presumably to turn southbound on U.S. 441, Alachua Police Department spokesman Jessie Sandusky said.

Hood reportedly struck the side of the van.  He was transported to Shands Hospital where he was pronounced dead.  Hood was believed to be wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

Toxicology results received by APD last week indicate that neither alcohol nor drugs were a factor in the accident.

Blood tests conducted on both Hood and Davis showed no signs of alcohol or drugs in either of their systems, Sandusky said.

Davis was cited with a violation of right of way, a civil infraction as a result of the accident.

Hood was on his way to work at the High Springs fire station when the accident occurred.  He was a Gainesville resident and graduate of Buchholz High School.  He had been with the High Springs Fire Department since 2007.

Hood left behind a wife, Susan, and a young son, Wyatt.  High Springs residents Linda Gestrin and Robyn Rush have established a memorial fund to benefit Hood’s wife and son.  Contributions may be made to the “Chad Hood Memorial Fund” at Capital City Bank.