United States (Texas) - An off-duty Fort Worth firefighter killed Monday in a motorcycle wreck was identified as Lylian Randy Berry Jr., a six-year veteran who had served on the department's swift water rescue team, fire officials said Tuesday. Berry, 42, died at John Peter Smith Hospital shortly after the crash on Sycamore School Road.

Berry joined the department in 2006 and had previously served for years on the department's swift water/underwater rescue team, fire officials said in an email.

The firefighter, a father of two, received an honorable discharge after serving four years in the U.S. Air Force.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Berry was assigned to Fire Station 28 on Everman Parkway and it was a crew from that station that responded to the wreck which occurred about 6:45 p.m. Monday.

Berry was riding with Shymill Murphy, 37, eastbound in the 300 block of Sycamore School Road near the intersection with Colfax Lane, fire officials said.

A westbound sport utility vehicle turned in front of the motorcycle, which hit the back of the SUV, said officer Sharron Neal, a police spokeswoman.

Murphy was critically injured, and was in surgery late Monday. Her condition was unavailable Tuesday morning..

The speed of the motorcycle may have contributed to the wreck, Neal said. Both were wearing helmets, she said.

"The Fire Department is deeply saddened at the unexpected loss of one of its members," said Engineer Tim Hardeman, a spokesman, in a news release.

Staff writer Bill Miller contributed to this report.

Written by Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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