Two MS Firefighters Killed in Hit-and-Run

March 16, 2017
Sumrall firefighters Clinton Alvin Beasley and Loretta Ann Sykes were fatally struck and a third member was injured.

Police have charged a man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed two firefighters and injured a third in Lamar County Wednesday evening. 

Clinton Alvin Beasley, 80, and Loretta Ann Sykes, 53, who were firefighters with the Sumrall Volunteer Fire Department, died at the scene. A third firefighter was taken to Forrest General Hospital. 

Brandon Chance Eaton, 31 was charged with hit-and-run and causing death, according to local television station WDAM.

Beasley and Sykes were directing traffic at the scene where a dump truck accident at Mississippi 589 and Oloh Road.

Eaton was traveling south on Mississippi 589 when he struck the firefighters around 6 p.m.

Police found the vehicle about six miles away and took Eaton into custody.

Eaton will appear in court Thursday morning and might face additional charges, officials told WDAM.

Law enforcement officials from Sumrall, Lamar County and the Mississippi Highway Patrol were called to investigate the crash.

"We just ask for the people to pray for these families that lost these two fine individuals," said Lamar County Supervisor Dale Lucus. "You couldn't ask for better volunteer firefighters, they were always were willing to make any call day or night."

The Sumrall Fire Department released the following statement on their Facebook page Thursday morning: "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your heartfelt sympathy, your concern and most of all your prayers as we deal with the tragedy of losing two of our very own! Please keep us in your prayers. Community volunteers have organized a candlelight prayer vigil at the Sumrall Fire Station on Water Ave, behind City Hall, at 7 p.m. tonight. Everyone is welcome to come. Please bring a candle with you and join us as we come together in support of our fallen brother and sister."

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