SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A motor vehicle accident involving one civilian and two South Charleston Firefighters on Thursday has resulted in multiple injuries and one fatality.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office reports that, on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at around 4:15 p.m., Kanawha County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to investigate a crash at the intersection of US Route 119 (Corridor G) and Childress Road involving a South Charleston Fire Truck and another motorist.
Investigators with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Crash Reconstruction Team would determine that the South Charleston Fire Truck had been traveling northbound in response to a call with three firefighters on board the vehicle at the time of the accident.
The fire truck involved had been driving with lights and sirens activated while approaching the intersection while the other motorist involved – identified as Franklin Dale Crouch, 46-years-old of Charleston, WV – was crossing US Rt 119 from Childress Road. The South Charleston Fire Truck collided with Crouch’s vehicle at the intersection.
Mr. Crouch immediately received on-site treatment from medics and was eventually transported to CAMC General Hospital where he ultimately passed away as a result of his injuries sustained from the crash. Two of the firefighters involved were also transported to CAMC General Hospital where one was later released and the other was, as of late Thursday night, reportedly in critical but stable condition. The third firefighter involved was transported to Thomas Hospital where he was later released.
Circumstances surrounding this crash remain under investigation and investigators encourage any witnesses present at the time of the incident to contact Deputy M.A. Dingess, the lead investigator of this case, at 304-357-0169.
