by Kate Evans
A Paw Paw resident and volunteer firefighter died in a workplace accident near Staunton, Va. last Tuesday, February 1.
Shawn P. Dick Sr., 32, was killed when the highway work zone truck he was operating was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 81. Dick, the driver of the highway work zone truck, died at the accident scene.
Virginia State Police responded to the two-vehicle crash that occurred at 4:57 a.m. in Augusta County in the northbound lanes of I-81 at the 233 mile marker.
The state police reported in a press release that the highway work zone crash truck was contracted by the Virginia Department of Transportation and was stationary in the left northbound lanes of I-81 as the highway crew was setting up cones to establish the work zone.
A tractor-trailer traveling north in the left lane on I-81 rear-ended the crash truck, a Ford F 650, causing it to hit the median and overturn. The tractor-trailer ran off the left side of the interstate and came to rest in the median,
“The crash truck had its arrow board activated and amber lights flashing at the time of the crash,” reported police.
Th
e tractor-trailer driver, a 23-year old Baltimore man, was transported to Augusta Health for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
State police said that charges are pending and that the accident is still under investigation.
Dick was currently serving as a member of the Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Company at the time of the accident.
The Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Company’s Facebook page mourned the death of their comrade as they posted these words on February 1:
“It is with sad hearts that we announce the loss of a brother. Firefighter Shawn Dick was taken from us in an awful work accident today. Our hearts are heavy with this loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children, with his family at this time.”
Area fire companies and individuals shared many condolences on social media after news of Dick’s death spread.
Dick was formerly from Frostburg, Maryland. He joined the Clarysville Volunteer Fire Company in 2009 and became its fire chief in 2014. His family had also served the Midland Volunteer Fire Company for many years.
Dick was working for Makco, Inc. at the time of his death, according to his obituary. He leaves behind a wife and four children.
