Samaria, SC (Paul Kirby) – A Lexington County firefighter has been struck by a tractor trailer truck while working a wreck in the 5600 block of Fairview Road near MJ’s Country Stop. This is near I-20 and Fairview Road intersection and the old speedway. According to witnesses that were on the scene, the firefighter was killed in the accident.
The SCDPS said the accident happened just after 3:15 p.m. Friday. Firefighters from the Samaria fire station responded and were working the first wreck when a tractor trailer truck failed to slow at the scene and hit the firefighter. According to people on the scene, the body of the injured Lexington County firefighter was covered, and life support had been discontinued.
This accident is a tragedy that will affect all Lexington County firefighters. It should also affect Lexington County citizens who rely on these men and women for help in the event of an emergency. The last firefighter that was lost while on duty was Jeffery V. “Jeff” Chavis who was burned fighting a house fire near Lake Murray. He died several weeks later at the Southeastern Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia.
Lexington County has not yet made a statement regarding the accident. They will contact the firefighter’s family and offer support before his name is released. The SCHP has not said if the truck’s driver will be charged.
