SANTO DOMINGO.- Death this afternoon on Colonel Lucilo Francisco Vargascommander of the Santiago Rodríguez police force, who suffered serious burns during a fire that occurred in the early morning hours at the police station in the municipality of Sabaneta.
Colonel Vargas, who suffered burns on 98% of his body, was unable to overcome his severe injuries despite the medical efforts made.
His death was confirmed while he was receiving care in the Burn Unit of the Luis Eduardo Aybar Hospital (Morgan).
The fire, the causes of which are still under investigation, considerably affected the police headquarters facilities. Authorities are working to determine the origin of the fire.
The officer is survived by his wife, Sandra Mercedes Echavarría Peralta, and his two children, Ana Julissa Francisco Echavarría and Emmanuel de Jesús Francisco Echavarría.
The Director General of the Police, Major General Ramón Antonio Guzmán Peralta, expressed his most sincere condolences to the family, friends and comrades in arms of the senior officer, while highlighting his dedication, vocation for service and exemplary career of more than 38 years of uninterrupted service within the institution.
The National Police continues to deepen the investigations related to this unfortunate event. The official report will be released as soon as the investigative process concludes.
