By Grace Toohey
The Advocate
WEST FELICIANA, La. — The Deputy Fire Chief in West Feliciana was killed Wednesday morning north of St. Francisville while responding to a crash on U.S. 61, according to State Police and Fire Protection District No. 1 of West Feliciana.
Chief Russell Achord, 48, of St. Francisville, was responding to a crash on U.S. 61 when the driver of a Dodge Ram, pulling a trailer, lost control of the pickup and crashed into the first wreck, striking the fire chief, said State Police spokesman Senior Trooper Bryan Lee. Achord died of his injuries.
Lee said 51-year-old Robert McCoy, of Tallulah, lost control of the Dodge Ram as he approached the crash scene on the icy road. McCoy’s truck hit multiple first responders’ vehicles as well as Achord.
Two other people were also injured in the crash, Lee said. McCoy was not injured and was properly retrained at the time.
Accord was taken to West Feliciana Hospital where he died. Lee said the two others who were injured are expected to survive.
The Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department, including Achord, along with the West Feliciana Sheriff’s Office, were assisting a motorist just after 9 a.m. on U.S. 61 north of St. Francisville when the crash happened, Lee said.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this dedicated firefighter, as well as to his fire service family and the community of West Feliciana Parish,” wrote Louisiana State Fire Marshal Butch Browning in a Facebook post.
The Zachary Fire Department moved one of their fire engines to West Feliciana Parish Wednesday afternoon to help cover the region while West Feliciana Parish officials responded to the crash, according to a Zachary Fire Department Facebook post.
The flag at the Louisiana Fallen Firefighter Memorial was lowered to half staff Wednesday afternoon in Achord’s honor.
Lee said weather is suspected to be a factor in the crash.
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