Log truck spills load, closes same overpass where firefighter was killed months ago

LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. — A log truck crash shut down the overpass to Highway 5 in Lancaster County Tuesday morning.

It happened only a few feet away from where a longtime firefighter was killed months ago, and that road was recently named in his honor.

Mike Metcalf is a volunteer firefighter for Van Wyck Fire Department. His station runs nearly all the calls on the narrow, two-lane highway known for steep embankments and accidents.

"We see this day in and day out on Highway 5," Metcalf said. "When we get there, it's just a matter of how bad it's gonna be when we pull up."

Even though the wreck Tuesday morning was a mess, fortunately no one was hurt.

That, sadly, wasn't the case seven months ago when Dennis Straight of the Van Wyck Volunteer Fire Department was killed on the same overpass.

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He was directing traffic around another accident scene, something he'd done for more than 20 years, when he was struck by a car.

Metcalf was one of his closest friends.

"We miss Dennis every day, but we know he's with us every time we respond to a call.  We know he's watching over us," he said.

Earlier this month, Highway 5 from 521 to the York County line was named in honor of Straight.

On that same day, Channel 9 was there when his name was added to a memorial in Lancaster to fallen firefighters.

Highway 5 and 521 are two of the busiest and deadliest roads in the county.

Seeing the road shut down once again is a reminder for emergency workers of Straight and the danger of what they do.

"If you're a first responder on any line, whether it be police, fire or EMS, and you're standing in the road, you're automatically putting yourself in harm's way," Metcalf said.

The driver of the log truck was cited for driving too fast for conditions.

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