VA Firefighter Fatally Struck by Apparatus

Eagle Rock firefighter Roger D. Johns was serving as a ground guide when he was struck by a backing apparatus.

Source Firehouse.com News

May 20, 2017

Eagle Rock firefighter Roger Johns was struck and killed by a fire vehicle that was backing up in Botetourt County on Thursday.

An Eagle Rock firefighter was struck and killed by a fire vehicle that was backing up in Botetourt County Thursday.

Firefighters were called to the single vehicle crash on Route 220 around 3 p.m. when the fire vehicle was being moved into position to block the scene.

Roger D. Johns, 63, was serving as the ground guide for the backing vehicle when he was struck, police told WSET.com.

Johns was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he passed away.

The driver of the apparatus was not injured in the incident.

Virginia State Police said charges are pending, but did no elaborate.

"At this time, our focus is on the welfare of his family and the Botetourt County firefighter community, and we therefore are not providing any further details at this time," Botetourt County Administrator's Office Management Assistant Cody Sexton said in a statement.