Firefighter Loses Both Legs

HOUSTON - A firefighter with the Cy Fair Volunteer Fire Department is in critical but stable condition after losing both his legs in an off-duty accident.

Celio Velasquez, 23, is charged with intoxicated assault with a motor vehicle.

Thomas Shuster, 27, is a seven year veteran of the department who worked out of Station 8. Fellow firefighters say he has a long road to recovery.

Around 3:30 P.M. Monday, Velasquez was driving a Ford Mustang reported stolen along the 800 block of Aldine Bender near the Hardy Toll Road. Shuster was unloading his pickup truck in the parking lot of his full time job at an auto parts store. Investigators say Velasquez didn't stay in his lane and hopped the curb, steering into the store's parking lot. Velasquez struck Shuster, pinning him against the truck.

"I couldn't get any sleep last night because I saw him on the ground, saw his legs all messed up. It was the worst thing I've ever seen," said Jose Bautista, a witness.

Shuster lost one of his legs at the scene. He was airlifted to a hospital, where authorities say his other leg had to be amputated. Velasquez ran from the scene but witnesses chased him and flagged down a deputy who arrested him. A woman and child were also in the car with him.

"We're obviously very sad about what happened but happy he's still with us," said David Padovan, a fellow firefighter. Firefighters say Shuster was one of the most committed volunteers. Station 8 is hoping he'll come back.

"One way or another he's going to come back to the station. There's plenty of stuff we can have him do," said Cpt. Mark Rodriguez.

Velasquez is in jail on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning. He lists himself as homeless.