ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. \u2014 A firefighter has died while on duty in Rockdale County Friday.<\/p>\n
Rockdale County confirmed in a statement that the firefighter was killed in a rollover accident involving a firetruck at the intersection of Sigman and Eastview roads.<\/p>\n
A witness told Channel 2\u2019s Eryn Rogers the first responders did everything they could to try to save the firefighter.<\/p>\n
The fire department wasn\u2019t releasing the name Friday night. <\/p>\n
However, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement posted to social media<\/a>: \u201cMarty, the girls, and I are saddened tonight by the loss of Firefighter Juan Antonia Smith. As we pray for his loved ones and the entire Rockdale County community, we ask that Georgians keep them in their thoughts as they mourn this sudden and tragic loss.\u201d<\/p>\n Marty, the girls, and I are saddened tonight by the loss of Firefighter Juan Antonia Smith. As we pray for his loved ones and the entire Rockdale County community, we ask that Georgians keep them in their thoughts as they mourn this sudden and tragic loss.<\/p>\n \u2014 Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) June 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The impact of that crash is apparent. A light pole is knocked over and the concrete is broken.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember seeing a whole firetruck laid over to its side,\u201d said Yasuke Aki.<\/p>\n He said the crash happened before 5 p.m. He was outside cleaning up at a gas station where he works at the corner of Sigman and Eastview roads.<\/p>\n He saw emergency vehicles.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember hearing two firefighter trucks. I remember hearing a loud thump,\u201d Aki said.<\/p>\n He took video as he ran towards the noise. Aki said a firefighter was ejected then pinned under the truck.<\/p>\n \u201cHis brothers tried to get him from under the truck,\u201d Aki said. \u201cThey tried their best. They tried to lift up, the firefighters tried to lift up with some of the equipment they brought, like jacks.\u201d<\/p>\n The Rockdale County Fire rescue said one of their firefighters died in the line of duty during the rollover crash.<\/p>\n A source told Rogers they were responding to a structure fire.<\/p>\n Fire Chief James robinson sent a statement that reads in part<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a devastating loss for the Rockdale County family. Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect others, and today we mourn the loss of a dedicated public servant, colleague, friend, and hero,\u201d the statement said in part.<\/p>\n Rockdale County is heartbroken to confirm that a rollover accident involving a Rockdale County Fire Rescue apparatus occurred today at the intersection of Sigman Road and Eastview Road.<\/p>\n Tragically, the accident claimed the life of one of our courageous firefighters while in service to our community.<\/p>\n This is a devastating loss for the Rockdale County family. Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect others, and today we mourn the loss of a dedicated public servant, colleague, friend, and hero.<\/p>\n Out of respect for the firefighter\u2019s family, additional details, including the firefighter\u2019s identity, will be released at the appropriate time after all notifications have been made.<\/p>\n We ask our community to join us in keeping the firefighter\u2019s family; loved ones, fellow firefighters, and all members of Rockdale County Fire Rescue in your thoughts and prayers during this profoundly difficult time.<\/p>\n Fire Chief James Robinson stated, \u201cToday, we grieve the loss of one of our own.<\/p>\n Our hearts are with the firefighter\u2019s family and with every member of our Fire Rescue family who is hurting from this tragedy. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from our community as we navigate this unimaginable loss together.”<\/p>\n Additional information will be released as it becomes available.<\/p>\n \u2014 \u00a0Rockdale County<\/p>\n [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks<\/a>]<\/p>\n