Off-Duty Firefighters, Citizens Pulled Fallen Officer From Car Crash

Prince William County Officer Chris Yung was driving through a green light on his motorcycle and had his sirens and lights on when he was fatally struck by another driver Monday afternon, investigators have confirmed. 

Two off-duty members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and two other citizens pulled Yung from the fiery crash that ensued at 2:04 p.m. They administered CPR until Prince William County Fire and Rescue personnel were able to transport Yung to a hospital, where he died. 

Yung was an officer with the department for seven years. He was assigned to the Traffic Unit as a motorcycle officer. He previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is survived by his wife, three children and other family members. 

Yung was on his way to respond to a separate crash at Fauquier Drive and Reid Lane in Bristow, when a 69-year-old Gainesville woman driving a Dodge Caravan hit his motorcycle, police said. Investigators found that the woman made a left-hand turn from northbound Nokesville Road into the shopping center at Piper Lane, and crossed in front of the officer, who was traveling southbound. 

"The officer was on his department motorcycle with the emergency equipment activated, including lights and siren. As a result of the crash, the van and motorcycle caught fire," Officer Jonathan Perok, a spokesman for the Prince William County Police Department, said in a press release. 

No charges have been filed against the driver of the Dodge Caravan. Neither she or her passenger were injured. Police continue to investigate the accident. 

"The Prince William County police department would like to recognize the Virginia State Police, Prince William County Sheriff's Office, Manassas City Police Department, and the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue for their assistance, and also the citizens who risked their own lives to help," Perok said, in the release. 

"Acting Chief Barry Barnard continues to ask for the public's thoughts and prayers as the department copes with the loss of a colleague and friend." 

Prince William County police and the public planned to gather Tuesday evening near the scene of the accident for a candlelight vigil to remember Yung. He is the third officer in the history of the department to die in the line of duty.