Hours before he was killed when high winds sent a tree crashing down on his truck, a volunteer firefighter pitched in to help someone in a car crash.
Stanley Henson, 47, of Blue Ridge, devoted his life to helping others, Fannin County fire Chief Larry Thomas told Channel 2 Action News.
That is why Henson’s death is so hard for so many in this community in far North Georgia to process.
“He was a great man,” Thomas said. “He was always there when I needed him.”
Henson was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, which occurred near Dawsonville just after 2 p.m., according to the Georgia State Patrol.
However, much of North Georgia was under a wind advisory at the time and roads were wet from recent rain, Georgia State Patrol Cmdr. Curtis Bradshaw said.
As Henson drove his 1998 Toyota Tacoma east on Ga. 136, the tree fell at the intersection of Ga. 136 and New Bethel Church Road, Channel 2 reported.
He died on the scene.
“It was a freak accident,” Georgia State Patrol Trooper Chris Jones said. “Nothing to do to prevent it.”
Credit: � 2018 Cox Media Group. � 2018 Cox Media Group.
Credit: � 2018 Cox Media Group. � 2018 Cox Media Group.
Troopers have ruled out speed, alcohol and drugs as contributing factors in the accident.
According to Channel 2, Henson was headed from his firefighting job to another gig as a truck driver at the time of the deadly crash.
And Thomas, who described his friend as a “brother,” said Henson was just one month away from getting a promotion after his many years with the fire department.
“He was willing to take that on as lieutenant at the station,” Thomas said.
The wreck was one of two deadly crashes that occurred as wind speeds picked up Monday.
A single-car crash on Willeo Road in Roswell was reported shortly after 3 p.m. Monday Roswell police Officer Lisa Holland said. The driver was killed after hitting a pole, knocking down power lines and going into water.
No other details were released about the two deadly crashes.
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