The Associated Press
REIDSVILLE, N.C. — A volunteer firefighter responding to a house fire was killed when his truck veered off a road and crashed in Reidsville.
The state Highway Patrol said 36-year-old Paul Ellington of Eden was traveling at a high rate of speed when his truck hit a stop sign Tuesday morning. The truck then crossed U.S. 29, rolled and crashed into several trees.
The Highway Patrol said Ellington was not wearing his seat belt.
Ellington was a 17-year veteran of the Oregon Hill Volunteer Fire Department. He was named the department's firefighter of the year in 2003.
Oregon Hill Fire Chief Dwain Strader said Ellington had a passion for fighting fires and always volunteered when Strader needed help.
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