By FireRescue1 Staff
HENRY COUNTY, Va. — A Virginia fire chief and his wife died in a vehicle crash last week after a tree fell on their windshield and caused them to veer off the road.
Horsepasture Volunteer Fire Chief Charlie Bradshaw and his wife Sherri Bradshaw were killed Friday when their vehicle struck a utility pole after veering into a wooded area, WSLS reported.
Firefighters called the incident, which occurred close to the fire station, “freaky” and “bizarre.” Bradshaw’s colleagues responded to the scene, not knowing the chief was in the vehicle.
“They were in a daze. Once they came to the fire department they were tore up,” said Acting Fire Chief Nickie Hairston. “I called up there and he said, ‘Nickie.” He said, ‘It’s chief and his wife.’ I just dropped the phone.”
The Bradshaws’ two grandchildren were also in the car and survived with minor injuries.
Charlie Bradshaw had served as fire chief of the department since 2007 and had been a firefighter for more than 30 years. He previously served with Fieldale-Collinsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, and also owned a small business in Horsepasture.
Hairston said community members across the county are mourning the loss of Bradshaw and his wife.
“He’s a good man,” the acting chief said. “You’re not going to find a better person.”