Friends, family mourn Raleigh firefighter

Kissinger, a lieutenant at Raleigh's Station 6, was driving home from work when a school bus struck the pickup truck he was driving. The bus crashed into a ditch, pinning with the cab of Kissinger’s truck beneath it.

Kissinger was taken to WakeMed, where he died Friday afternoon.

His funeral will be at 1 p.m. at Richland Creek Community Church, 3229 Burlington Mills Road in Wake Forest, Pastor David Sims said Saturday. The family greeted visitors Tuesday evening at the church between 6 and 10 p.m.

A fund has been established to help care for Kissinger's wife and two daughters. Donations to the "Kissinger Family Care Fund" can be made at any First Citizens Bank.

The bus driver, Sheila Wimbush Hall, 52, of Garner, faces a charge of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.

Troopers said Hall was at fault when she crossed the center line on Ligon Mill Road and collided with a westbound station wagon, then continued into the oncoming lane, striking Kissinger's truck.

The charge against Hall is a misdemeanor. Given her clean driving record, she would likely not serve any jail time if convicted. The most likely sentence would be community service or probation, authorities said.

Hall, who was hired by the Wake County Public School System in May 2006, resigned Friday, school district spokesman Michael Evans said.