Moselle Volunteer Fire Department Chief B. J. Robinson was among the first emergency personnel to respond to the dispatch of a two-vehicle accident on Highway 11, South near Moselle Thursday.
Like most small towns, everybody knows everybody else and Robinson and the other firefighters accompanying him knew there was a chance the victims could be a neighbor or friend. Never did he think he would reach the accident scene and find his sister-in-law, Denecea “Denise” Dement, to be one of the victims. Never did he think she would be pronounced dead at the scene.
“When I got there and saw the car, I had a funny feeling,” said Robinson. “The car looked like their car and when I saw the firefighter tag on the vehicle it was tough to handle.
“I stood there hoping, praying that it wasn’t her. Hoping and praying.”
Then the inevitable happen. The victim was identified as the sister-in-law he and others lovingly called “Denise,” who along with her husband, David, were also volunteer firefighters. The couple has four adult children.
“It’s always sad when someone is hurt or killed in an accident,” said Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna. “But one of the saddest things about this one is that the victim’s brother, Ricky McCraney, and her brother-in-law, the chief, were among the first responders.
“Unfortunately this is the second time in two years that they have responded to an automobile accident only to find out one of their own involved. This is a tough time for those firefighters.”
Robinson admits that the family, as well as the firefighters, are taking her death rather hard. “We are doing as well as can be expected,” he said. “We have to lean on each other in a time like this.”
He added that the community has been supportive. Also grief counseling is provided for those who need it.
“We’re taking it all one day at a time,” continued Robinson. “We want everybody to remember us in their prayers.”
The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. There were three victims in the other vehicle, two females and a male. Two were transported to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg and one to South Central Regional Medical. Their names and conditions have not been not released.
According to Robinson, visitation hours for Denecea “Denise” Dement are from 3:30 to 8 p.m. today at Unity Baptist Church on Highway 11, South. The funeral is 3 p.m. Sunday.
Local News
Volunteer firefighter identified as accident victim
Brother-in-law, Moselle chief one of the first on the scene
- Local News
-
-
Several injured in separate 84 East wrecks
The jaws of life were used at about 4:55 p.m. Saturday to free victims of a two-vehicle accident on Highway 84 East, the second serious accident in that area in two days.
-
Animal cruelty case under investigation
Officials are continuing to investigate a case where several animals were seized last week from a home in the Beat Four Community of Wayne County.
-
Team work leads to drug arrests
The Laurel Police Department has arrested two Laurel men in connection with drugs this week.
-
Piazza becomes city’s Public Defender
In a special ceremony last week at Laurel City Hall, local attorney John Piazza was sworn in as the City of Laurel Public Defender.
-
Jasper County officials work to make upgrades at fire station, voting precinct
Jasper County officials are continuing to work to make improvements at one of the county’s fire stations and voting precincts.
-
JCJC gets $7K grant for poultry studies
The president of Jones County Junior College made an exciting announcement at the end of the institution’s 7th Annual Economic and Technology Symposium Thursday.
-
Arbor Day set for Feb. 10
The City of Laurel is recognizing Arbor Day and Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack has proclaimed Friday, Feb. 10th, as Arbor Day in the City of Laurel.
-
JCJC’s student health fair focusing on prevention
Jones County Junior College students recently had the opportunity to discover the true meaning of Benjamin Franklin’s motto, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” at the college’s Student Health Fair. Hundreds of students took advantage of the opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics including behavioral problems, nutrition, fitness, and foot care.
-
Aspiring to greatness
The Rev. Leander Bridges was the keynote speaker at Jones County Junior College’s Black History Program Tuesday.
-
Arrest made in bomb threat
A 19-year-old Jones County Junior College student was arrested Tuesday in connection with a bomb threat to a building on the school’s campus earlier in the day.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes MN, MO, CO
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama
Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
