Killeen Fire Captain Killed in Mother’s Day Crash After Visiting Newborn Child

KILLEEN, TX — Killeen Fire Captain Marvin Taylor III was killed in a crash early Sunday morning on Mother’s Day, shortly after visiting an Austin hospital where his fifth child had just been born.

According to the City of Killeen, Taylor was on his way to pick up his other children so they could meet their new sibling when his vehicle was rear-ended by a reportedly speeding driver. The crash occurred around 1:05 a.m. in Austin. An Austin Police Department unit was nearby and provided emergency aid until EMS arrived, but Taylor died at the scene.

Taylor was alone in the vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle was arrested by Austin Police. Authorities have not yet announced what charges, if any, the driver may face.

Taylor began his career with the Killeen Fire Department in 2014 and was promoted to Fire Captain in July 2024, according to the City of Killeen. He was most recently assigned to the Training Division as Operations Training Captain and held numerous certifications, including Swift Water Boat Operator and Advanced Structural Firefighter. He was also a member of Texas A&M Task Force 1 and the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Wildland Team, deploying to numerous large-scale incidents across and beyond Texas.

The City of Killeen called Taylor “highly respected and decorated,” and praised his dedication, leadership, and lasting impact on the department and the community.

Support for Taylor’s family has come from multiple agencies, including the Austin Fire Department, Austin-Travis County EMS, and Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office. Killeen Fire Department personnel are currently “standing watch” over Taylor until funeral arrangements are complete.

Taylor will be brought back to the area by fire and EMS personnel once released by the Medical Examiner’s Office. The city says updates on visitation and services will be shared in a future announcement.