The elder Duran told commissioners that he had been told the trailer was gone when he asked about it in the past. He said he\u2019s convinced that if the city keeps the trailer it will end up back in service \u2014 and could cause another tragedy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to make sure that this trailer is cut up into small pieces beyond recognition, that no other fire department could ever possibly come into possession of this trailer,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t want a third party to do it, I want this city to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TOS-L-Dad-Apopka-fallen-firefighter-01.jpg\")
Michael Duran speaks Wednesday, June 3, 2026, to the Apopka City Commission about the sand trailer involved in fatal injuries sustained on the job by his son, 25-year-old firefighter Austin Duran. Afterward commissioners voted unanimously to have it destroyed on site by a city employee to ensure it never ends up in service again. (Image from Apopka YouTube channel)<\/p>\n
Duran wore a baseball hat with the logo and a shirt with the stylized name of The 2650 Foundation<\/a>, a nonprofit formed to honor his son by family, friends and fellow firefighters. The foundation, named in honor of his badge number, says its mission is to \u201cbuild upon Austin\u2019s enduring legacy by providing and promoting training, education, and mentorship opportunities for first-responders, breathing life into his aspirations.\u201d<\/p>\n Mayor Nick Nesta, who was sworn in April 28, told commissioners he did not realize the city still had the trailer in its possession. He said he came upon it while visiting various city properties after taking office.<\/p>\n Nesta said after consulting with the city attorneys to see if there were legal reasons to hold onto it, he reached out to Duran\u2019s family to discuss removing it. The issue was on the meeting\u2019s consent agenda for disposal of surplus property.<\/p>\n Pictures: Apopka Firefighter Laid To Rest Saturday<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis is to make sure we kind of close out a chapter \u2026 obviously one close to a lot of people\u2019s hearts,\u201d Nesta told commissioners.<\/p>\n The mayor said a city employee has promised to destroy it on-site so it won\u2019t end up somewhere else.<\/p>\n Nelson, who was months into his second mayoral term when the tragedy occurred, said Wednesday evening that the agency stopped using the trailer that injured Duran, but the city held on to it for a couple of years for legal reasons. Nobody previously had asked to remove it, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cNot one person said they wanted to destroy it,\u201d Nelson said. \u201cThey obviously wanted it taken out of commission. \u2026 If the family had asked to get rid of it, I would\u2019ve gotten rid of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Some people blamed city officials for the tragedy. A citizens\u2019 petition drive in early 2023 aimed at ousting Nelson<\/a> in a recall election in the wake of Duran\u2019s death fell 70 votes short of the 1,762 signatures of registered voters needed to advance it.<\/p>\n In August 2023, commissioners also expressed \u201cno confidence\u201d in Fire Chief Wylam<\/a> by a 3-2 vote. Nelson, who supported the chief, said he had no intention to dismiss him. Ultimately, Wylam resigned Oct. 31, 2024 after having served in the role for five years.<\/p>\n