S.C. Firefighter Killed at Crash; Driver Charged with DUI

Feb. 16, 2015
Sandy Springs Firefighter Kenneth Stanton, 52, was struck while helping at a crash scene.

A Sandy Springs firefighter was killed after being struck at the scene of a crash Sunday night.

Kenneth Stanton, 52, was directing traffic when a vehicle drove around a tow truck and struck him.

He was pinned between a fire vehicle and the SUV, and sustained severe head injuries.

The driver ran away from the scene, but troopers were able to track him down.

South Carolina Highway Patrol Cpl. Bill Rhyne said that Charles Pickens, 64, has been charged in the crash.

"Kenny was a great man who would go out of his way to help anyone," said his cousin, Jason Pruitt. "He loved being a firefighter and serving the community. He was a former Marine and friend to everyone."

At least four other firefighters were injured when they were struck this weekend.

A deputy chief and firefighter were injured in East Hartford, Conn. when their command vehicle was struck when they stopped to investigate a crash.

Early Sunday in Montgomery County, Md., two Cabin John EMTs were injured when a pickup truck slammed into the vehicle they were working in. The truck then struck their ambulance.

In the same county, a Wheaton rescue squad was hit by a bus at a crash scene. No injuries we reported their.

Firehouse.com will have more information when it is available.

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