Indianapolis recruit firefighter who died in 4-vehicle crash remembered as 'friendliest guy you could meet'

David R. Short II was remembered as having a larger-than-life personality. According to friends, he was easy to talk to and well-liked in his community. 

The 26-year-old Indianapolis Fire Department recruit firefighter was killed Friday evening in a four-vehicle crash near the Indianapolis Regional Airport in Hancock County. 

Around 6:30 p.m., Short and his girlfriend were traveling northbound on Mt. Comfort Road near Airport Boulevard when two trucks collided in front of them. One of the trucks in that crash then entered Short's path, and their vehicles collided head-on, according to IFD.

That crash sent both vehicles off the road and caused Short's vehicle to roll over. Short was taken to IU Health Methodist Hospital, where he died. His girlfriend suffered minor injuries.

Investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol were a factor in the initial crash.

Short was a Scecina Memorial High School graduate, and he worked at Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza before joining IFD recruit class 84, according to IFD. He is survived by his parents, sister, brother and two half-siblings.

A hard worker with many friends

Joe Swan, general manager of the Jockamo location in Irvington, worked with Short at the restaurant for 8 years. Swan said he and Short were "very close," and he found out about what happened on Friday night through a Jockamo employee that was at the hospital.

Swan said he watched many employees grow up over the years, but Short was different.

"He was just a curious, extremely intelligent, extremely charismatic guy," he said. "He had more acquaintances and friends than anybody I had ever met."

Swan said Short first came to Jockamo as a kitchen employee when he was 18 years old. He was "rascally" and a "goofball " but also "strong-willed," Swan said. Soon Short wanted to work outside of the kitchen, so he started bussing, serving tables and interacting with customers.

"He excelled," Swan said. "He always had a great big personality. He always applied that to waiting tables, and people loved him. And he shaped and transformed the personality of Jockamo as a whole." 

Swan said he promoted Short to shift manager less than a year ago, calling him a "natural leader." He noticed how hard Short was working to become a firefighter, "going to bed at 8 o'clock" and "studying all the time."

Chris Jackson, 25, was an elementary school and high school classmate of Short's. He remembered how easy it was to talk to him.

"He was just so interested in everything you had to say," Jackson said. "Very few people have the ability to make you feel instantly as comfortable as he did."

Jackson said he and Short played many sports together, and Short was very talented.

"He had all kinds of crazy talents, like juggling and hacky sack, and he was super, crazy good at them," he said. "I always thought he was good at everything he did; it didn’t matter what it was. He could pick up a guitar, and he could just jam out."

Jackson, who is studying at Indiana State University to become a drone pilot, said he has only come back to Indianapolis twice in the past few years. But when he ran into Short, it was like nothing had changed. 

"It was like we had never been apart at all," he said. "He always comes back at you with a hug; it doesn’t matter who you are. He was the friendliest guy you could meet, honestly." 

As of 8 p.m. Saturday, nearly 150 people had donated more than $7,500 in an online fundraiser for Short's family. The fundraiser was started by friends of his older sister. A GoFundMe spokesperson confirmed Saturday night that they are working with the campaign organizer to ensure the funds reach the family.

Andrew Clark is Facebook editor for IndyStar. Call him at 317-444-6484 or email him at andrew.clark@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Clarky_Tweets. 

Kellie Hwang is a reporter at IndyStar. You can email her at kellie.hwang@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @KellieHwang.