Broward firefighter missing after crashing his truck and being seen ‘disoriented’

JUPITER FARMS, Fla. – A Broward County firefighter is missing after crashing his truck against a tree, and his colleagues are seeking the public’s help to find him.

James “Jim” Von Minden has been an employee with the Broward Sheriff’s Office since 1990. A Broward professional firefighter’s and paramedics association has asked for the public to “help us find our brother.”

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said Von Minden went missing after being seen “disoriented” Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the Jupiter Farms area near Randolph Siding Road and Alexander Run.

According to PBSO, Von Minden crashed his own vehicle and may have wandered into the woods, though investigators don’t know about the events leading up to him crashing into a tree. He was off-duty at the time of the crash, BSO says.

He is considered to possibly be endangered.

“We really don’t know if he lost control. We don’t know those particulars,” said Jason Smith, president of the Broward County firefighters and paramedics association. “We don’t know if he suffered something prior to hitting the tree. We’re concerned. I think you can find data that says after 48 hours if you don’t find someone, it starts changing the environment.”

A viewer sent Local 10 News this photo of the crumpled front end of a pick-up truck against a tree at the spot search parties have been meeting since Friday to look for Von Minden. Smith confirms that it is Von Minden’s truck.

Friends, colleagues and K9 units from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office have all been part of the ongoing search of the nearby area.

Von Minden is 5-foot-11, 210 pounds, according to the union, and he was wearing a black t-shirt, dark shorts and sandals when last seen Friday.

If you have information, you’re urged to call the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office at 561-688-3000 and the local union’s contact Brendan Quilter at 754-264-2307.