Raleigh Fire Captain Killed in Collision *Arrangements Have Been Posted*

OXFORD – A captain for the Raleigh Fire Department was killed Wednesday afternoon in an off-duty wreck in Oxford, a fire department spokesman said.

The state Highway Patrol said the rainy weather was likely to blame for the wreck that killed Jonathan Scott Nipper, the captain of Engine 13 at Fire Station No. 1 in downtown Raleigh.

Troopers said Nipper ‘s vehicle crossed the center line and struck another car head-on at the intersection of U.S. Highway 15 South and Dixon Road just after 2 p.m.

Nipper was killed instantly.

His daughter, 10-year-old Gracie Nipper, was also in the vehicle. She was taken to Duke University Medical Center in Durham for treatment of multiple fractures. She was undergoing surgery on Wednesday evening.

Granville County volunteer firefighter Hunter Dixon was among the first people on the scene of the crash. He said rescue crews had to cut the little girl out of the vehicle.

“The red one that he was in, the front of it was pushed all the way into the seat. It was pretty bad,” Dixon said.

The driver of the other vehicle, whose name was not released, sustained non life-threatening injuries.

Nipper, 43, of Creedmoor, was due back to work on Friday.

Nipper was with the Raleigh Fire Department for the past 15 years. He became captain three years ago.

Firefighters who knew Nipper said he was a great guy with a terrific sense of humor.

Before Wednesday’s Carolina Hurricanes game, there was a moment of silence for Nipper.

The Raleigh Fire Department has lost three firefighters in the past three years to wrecks. Lt. Harry P. “Flip” Kissinger IV, 35, of Wake Forest, died Dec. 11, 2009, a week after a school bus struck the pickup truck he was driving. Kissinger was with Fire Station 6.

Firefighter Andrew Johnson died Dec. 5, 2008, from injuries sustained in an ATV wreck.

ARRANGEMENTS

Visitation

Wednesday, December 28th 1200 to 1400 hours

Providence Baptist Church

6339 Glenwood Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27612

Funeral

14:00 Wednesday at Providence Baptist Church

Graveside Service/Burial

Immediately following the visitation

Raleigh Memorial Park

7501 Glenwood Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27612

PRIMARY AGENCY: Raleigh Fire Departmetn


INCIDENT TYPE: Motor Vehicle Collision