Slatington Borough Fire Chief Jason Nicholas spoke to the council and residents Monday night regarding the damage to the company's ladder truck after a recent vehicle crash on May 26.

In late May, the department's captain, Christopher Pascoe, was driving the truck through Lehigh County for its annual inspection before a car crossed a double-yellow line section of road and hit the fire company's vehicle.Pascoe has been with the Slatington department for five years.Justin Tyler Gnas, 24, of Danielsville, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in Allen Township, according to Coroner Zachary Lysek. Gnas was the nephew of Slatington Police officer Frank Gnas and grandson of lifelong fire department member Tony Gnas Sr.At 7:09 a.m., Gnas was heading north on Cherryville Road on his way to work when he passed another vehicle by crossing into the opposite lane, over a double-yellow line, according to state police.He attempted to move back into the proper lane but was still over the line when his Mitsubishi collided with the front of the southbound firetruck, the state police said.The driver's side of Gnas' four-door car hit the front of the ladder truck.The cab of the truck needs to be replaced, along with the pump-panel assembly. The drive-train and front suspension were heavily damaged as well, Nicholas said."They didn't total it, but it will take a year to repair," said Councilman Jon Rinker."Walnutport and Neffs are covering for us with aerial pieces for now," he said.Nicholas said, "It's quite extensive damage."Walnutport and Neffs will be called first, with Palmerton and Lehigh the second ones called."In the meantime we will use the two engines as first responders," Nicholas said.The department will meet with the Neffs department to become familiar with the truck.Borough Manager Judith Danko said a full estimate of damage will be available in four to six weeks.Pascoe returned to work the following Monday after the incident."Physically the driver is fine, but it's a trying time," Nicholas said."From the start, I've been talking to Jason (Ruff), the (Police) Chief (David Rachman) and Jon. We've had tremendous support from the borough in this hard time," he said.A GoFundMe site has been created to help with Gnas' funeral expenses. To donate:

https://www.gofundme.com/7u2da3-justins-funeral-expenses