Last updated July 25, 2015 @ 7:15pm
A Saturday morning fundraiser turned into a nightmare for firefighters in Habersham County when one of their own was struck by a truck. The injured firefighter has been identified as Baldwin Fire Chief Joe Roy of Alto. Roy was seriously injured in the accident. He was airlifted to Grady Hospital in Atlanta where he’s listed in stable condition.
Baldwin Mayor Jerry Neace was with Roy and his family at the hospital Saturday. Neace tells Now Habersham Roy suffered a broken left scapula and serious lacerations to the back of his head and right arm. Chief Roy was taken into surgery for his arm around 4 p.m. Saturday. “He was alert prior to surgery,” Neace says, “and aware of everything that occurred and that was going on.”
The accident happened around 10:44 Saturday morning at the intersection of Duncan Bridge and Mud Creek Road. Roy was participating in a charity boot drive benefiting the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation when he was hit.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, Roy was hit by a 2012 Toyota Tundra driven by 69-year old R.W. Nored of Dahlonega. Nored was traveling south on GA 384 and Roy was facing south on the double yellow line collecting donations when the left front of the truck hit Roy in the roadway. Nored was not injured. Charges are pending.
Now Habersham spoke with Trooper 1st Class Joseph Tucker on the scene Saturday morning. He said Roy was wearing a reflective vest at the time of the accident.
The accident unleashed a torrent of prayers and support for Roy and his family from fellow firefighters and others throughout Northeast Georgia. The Hall County Fire Department was posting updates on Chief Roy’s condition on its Facebook page Saturday.
Now Habersham will continue to follow this story and update it as new information becomes available.
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