Man charged in death of former Dublin Fire Chief

BLADEN COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - A man has been charged in the crash that killed a former Dublin Fire Chief.

According to the family of former Fire Chief Pete Batton, the deadly crash happened on May 24th on Highway 41 in Bladen County.

NC State Highway Patrol Trooper Schmale says Batton was turning onto Robin Lane from Highway 41 when he was hit in the back by a tow truck being driven by 29-year-old Kirkland Smith.

Schmale added that Smith failed to reduce his speed when he crashed into Batton’s car. Batton died at the scene.

According to arrest warrants, Smith has been arrested and charged with felony second-degree murder without regard and misdemeanor driving while impaired.

Court records show that Smith made his first court appearance on May 30 and was given a $5 million bond. He cannot drive a car or consume any alcohol or drugs without a doctor’s prescription.

WECT has reached out to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for more information.