An Erie man charged with killing a volunteer firefighter had his first court appearance on Thursday. He is expected to go on trial, but no date has been set yet.

It all happened near Route 20 and Brickyard Rd. in North East in August.

Dawann Simmons, 41, was speeding when he drove his car into an accident zone, hitting and killing Shawn Giles, 53, according to police.

The Fuller Hose Company volunteer was directing vehicles around that earlier crash scene.

Simmons told police Giles jumped out in front of his car as he tried to change lanes, according to court documents.

Police say he was driving without a valid license.

A judge is scheduled to decide if the evidence is enough to allow the charges, which include homicide by vehicle, to proceed.