Smith Mountain Lake mourning loss of firefighters

Two veteran firefighters for the Rocky Mount Volunteer Fire Department killed Monday when the fire engine they were riding in was hit by an SUV were well-known around Smith Mountain Lake.

Chief Posey Dillon, 59, who also served as Rocky Mount's vice mayor, and William "Danny" Altice, 57, were on their way to a house fire in Union Hall when they crashed on Old Franklin Turnpike near U.S. 220. Both were dead on arrival at Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital.

Jack Gautier, chief of SML Marine Volunteer Fire/Rescue Co., said firefighters are like family and losing two is hard.

"We're like a brotherhood," he said. "It breaks your heart when something like this happens."

Gautier said Marine Fire/Rescue was among the organizations called to the scene of the fire after members heard a call for the fire truck accident over the radio.

"If you think there's somebody in a house, you hurry," said Gautier. "They were probably trying to hurry to save a life."

With Dillon at the wheel, the engine, eastbound on Old Franklin Turnpike, swerved when a silver Ford Escape drove into the street from School Board Road, said Sgt. Rob Carpentieri, a state police spokesman. The truck, loaded with 1,000 gallons of water, was struck on the driver's side by the SUV, flipped from the shifting weight of the water and landed on a Ford Mustang convertible.

The fire engine's emergency lights and siren were on, state police said, but the SUV driver had the green traffic light. The driver of the SUV, Terry A. Valentine, 41, of Rocky Mount was taken to the hospital with injuries that weren't life-threatening, police said.

Neither Dillon nor Altice, who had a combined 81 years of fire-fighting experience, was wearing a seat belt, according to police.

While the department mourns the loss of their chief, the town council is mourning the sudden loss of one of its own, too. Dillon served on town council for 24 years and was appointed by his peers to serve as the vice mayor earlier this month.

"It's just such a shock to hear this happen," said Councilman Robert Strickler. "Posey is a good friend. He went out of his way to help you."

That trait of lending a hand when needed was often used to describe Altice as well. Altice, who was in his 47th year with the department, participated in many fire department runs, according to town records.

According to B.W. Wright, president of the department's auxiliary unit and Altice's grade school classmate, Altice "didn't pick the rosy jobs. He took 'em all."

Assistant Chief Charles Robertson has assumed chief duties in the volunteer department.

Funeral arrangements

Dillon's funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m today at Franklin Heights Baptist Church. Altice's is scheduled for 3 p.m. today at Rocky Mount United Methodist Church.

Visit roanoke.com/news for previous coverage including Rocky Mount's mourning, a photo gallery from the crash and a timeline of Posey Dillon's public service. Visitors also may sign the guest books for Posey Dillon and Danny Altice.