A Mississippi man has pleaded guilty in the the case of a crash that killed two Sumrall firefighters in 2017, according to reports.
A report from www.magnoliastatelive.com says Brandon Chance Eaton, 34, pleaded guilty to three counts of felony DUI after originally being indicted on charges he left the scene of a crash. The district attorney’s office in the case has recommended he be e sentenced to 60 years with 30 to serve, including credit for time served.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Sumrall Deputy Chief Alvin Beasley, Firefighter Loretta “Lorrie” Ann Sykes, and other firefighters were working on the scene of a wires down call on the side of Highway 589. A dump truck had become entangled in power lines and a transformer had exploded.
Both firefighters were wearing reflective traffic vests. Firefighters were assisting with traffic control in cooperation with local electrical utility workers.
As firefighters awaited orders from their chief, a vehicle veered off of the highway and struck Deputy Chief Beasley, Firefighter Sykes, and another firefighter. The vehicle did not stop and fled the scene. Deputy Chief Beasley and Firefighter Sykes received fatal blunt force injuries. The third firefighter was treated and transported to the hospital where he later recovered.
