The chief of the Reynolds Fire Department in Asheville was killed in a wreck as he headed to a fire safety conference where he was expected to accept an award for the department.
According to local television station WSCO, Chief Richard Sales, 52, had stopped in at the station at about 8:30 pm Saturday night and crashed Sunday morning in Statesville. The fatal crash happened on a service road near an exit off I-40.
Sales was a full-time employee for the department, a Level II Firefighter and an EMT. The 31-year fire service veteran was the department's second chief.
State police troopers said Sales was traveling on I-40 Eastbound, hit barriers in the middle of the road, lost control of his vehicle and continued through the westbound lanes onto Wing Drive. His was the only vehicle involved and the only occupant of the vehicle.
The incident remains under investigation.
