Driving in Fog Fatality File

Firefighter Responding in Dense Fog Killed When POV Leaves Roadway

A volunteer firefighter was killed and another injured when their privately owned vehicle left the roadway while they were self-dispatching to a medical call in rural Louisiana. The incident occurred in the early morning hours under dense fog conditions, where visibility was severely reduced and roadway markings were minimal. As the vehicle approached a sharp 90-degree curve on an unmarked rural road, the driver lost sight of the roadway, causing the vehicle to leave the pavement and strike a stand of trees. One firefighter was partially ejected and pronounced dead at the scene; the passenger sustained minor injuries.

A NIOSH investigation found that low visibility due to fog, lack of road markings, inattentive driving, and the decision to respond without official dispatch were significant contributing factors. The case highlights the extreme risks of driving in fog, where reduced sight distance and unclear roadway boundaries can quickly turn emergency response into a fatal situation.

Source: Firerescue1.com