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Funeral service held for Assistant Fire Chief hit, killed while directing traffic

Funeral services were Saturday for the Assistant Fire Chief of the Van Wyck Fire Department who was hit and killed while directing traffic last week.

LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. — Funeral services were Saturday, November 17, for the Assistant Fire Chief of the Van Wyck Fire Department who was hit and killed while directing traffic last week.

Dennis Straight, 59, of Lancaster was a volunteer firefighter with Charlotte Road-Van Wyck Fire Department for more than 20 years.

North Carolina Highway Patrol said the incident happened around 7 p.m. Wednesday on U.S. 521 and S.C. 5. Troopers told NBC Charlotte a man driving a Chevy Malibu tried to merge onto the highway and hit Straight.

READ MORE ► Assistant fire chief hit, killed while directing traffic in Lancaster County

Russell Rogers, Lancaster County Fire Marshal and long-time neighbor of Straight's, is heartbroken.

“This is a small community fire department of ten members,” said Rogers. “To have the assistant chief to be killed in such a tragic way it’s going to take a hard time to heal.”

Rogers said the most comforting thing about Straight’s death is that he died the way he lived -- helping others.

“I don’t think he’ll ever regret making that call. I think that he just thought he’ll be helpful," Rogers said.

Every day since 1998, Straight suited up and volunteered for the fire department after working a separate full-time job.

“He’s never received any payment for what he’s done,” said Rogers. “He loved what he did. Thank you for what you did for the community.”

Lancaster Fire and Rescue said more information would be released when funeral arrangements were finalized.

The driver of the Chevy Malibu, 33-year-old Corey Wright, was not hurt. There's no word yet if any charges will be filed. The crash was under investigation.

There was a procession and a memorial on Saturday, November 17 at the Second Baptist Church in Lancaster.

The procession stopped by the Charlotte Road Van Wyck Volunteer Fire Department. The first fire engine to pass had white flowers and was carrying the urn.

Firefighters from as far as Connecticut attended the service, and friends shared their favorite memories of Straight.

"He was so brave," one friend said at the service. "Not only was he Lancaster County's hero, he was mine. I hope he knows where ever he is, how much we all loved him."

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