Burke County Firefighter Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver While Cleaning Debris From Storm

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — A firefighter was killed after being hit by a truck, driven by a suspected drunk driver, while he clearing debris from a road in Morganton Sunday.

Firefighters were reportedly dispatched to a tree that was blocking lanes on Highway 70 East just before midnight.

Troopers say Randall Stewart was traveling eastbound on Highway 70 and struck Jason Keith Hensley, who was a firefighter with the Triple Community Fire Department, with his GMC truck.

Randal Stewart

Hensley was wearing reflective gear but was reportedly killed “instantly upon impact.”  Stewart was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.  He has been charged with driving while impaired, no operator’s license, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Troopers say other charges could be pending.