ANDERSON, S.C. — A firefighter died after being struck at the scene of a crash Sunday night.
Independent Mail reported that firefighter Kenneth Stanton, 52, a volunteer firefighter with the Sandy Springs (S.C.) Fire Department, was among the first to respond to a two-car collision near an intersection. While directing traffic around the crash site, he was struck by a motorist who left the scene.
Troopers found Charles Pickens, 64, at his home and believe that it was his car that hit firefighter Stanton. He was charged with driving under the influence, resulting in death and leaving the scene of an accident. He is being held in a detention center and is expected to face a judge Monday.
Stanton was transported to a hospital, where he died as a result of head trauma, according to the report.
“Kenny was a great man who would go out of his way to help anyone,” Stanton’s cousin, Jason Pruitt, said. “He loved being a firefighter and serving the community. He was a former Marine and friend to everyone.”
The accident remains under investigation.
Stanton was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and an assistant scout master in the Boys Scouts of America.