Duty Death: Dennis Straight - [Lancaster]
End of Service: 06/11/2018
LANCASTER, S.C. — An assistant fire chief was killed Tuesday at the scene of a crash.
The Herald reported that Van Wick Fire Department Assistant Chief Dennis Straight was directing traffic at the scene of a crash when he was struck by a vehicle, according to officials.
Straight was transported to the hospital, where he later died.
“It is with deep regret that the announcement is made of the death of Charlotte Road/Van Wyck Assistant Fire Chief Dennis Straight, who lost his life in the line of duty while working at a motor vehicle collision scene,” Lancaster County Fire Marshal Russell Rogers said.
Straight was a 20-year veteran of the fire service and was described by his colleagues as a “great man” who was “dedicated to the people of Lancaster County.”
Lancaster County Emergency Management Director Darren Player, who worked with Straight for 20 years, said he was a “super, generous man.”
Straight was known around the community for dressing up as Santa Claus as firefighters delivered toys to children in a fire truck, sources said.
“Please keep Chief Straight’s wife, emergency responders and his family in your thoughts and prayers,” Rogers said.