Head-On Crash Kills Firefighter
Joey X. Johnson, 32, of the 5000 block of Sanctuary Drive in Augusta, died in a three-car accident near a curve in the road in front of Triangle Dodge. Mr. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene, Mr. Carlton said.
At about 7 p.m., a Chevrolet pickup traveling north toward Aiken blew a tire, crossed the grassy median and hit Mr. Johnson's late-model Dodge Stratus head-on, Mr. Carlton said.
After the Stratus burst into flames, a Dodge pickup traveling south toward Augusta landed on top of the burning car, Mr. Carlton said.
Mr. Johnson died from burns, Mr. Carlton said.
Mr. Johnson was also an emergency medical technician with Gold Cross, Mr. Carlton said.
Aiken County Coroner Sue Townsend said Mr. Johnson was returning to Augusta from Voorhees College and was talking on his cell phone to New Ellenton Police Chief Van McMillan when the accident happened.
"He was on the phone with Van McMillan, who heard him say 'damn' and heard the crash and then heard people talking," Ms. Townsend said.
There were two people inside the Chevrolet pickup and possibly two people in the Dodge truck, Mr. Carlton said.
The Aiken County Sheriff's Office, Aiken County emergency personnel and the South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the accident.
An autopsy is scheduled for today, Mr. Carlton said.
South Carolina Bureau Chief Jim Nesbitt contributed to this article