Lexington County Fire Service Fire Engineer Paul Quattlebaum was fatally struck by a semi-truck while responding to a motor-vehicle collision last Friday.

Quattlebaum’s unit was dispatched to a medical call just before 3:30 pm, Oct. 4.

While en route, Quattlebaum and his partner came upon a motor-vehicle collision near the 5200 block of Fairview Road and stopped to check on those involved.

While performing his duty, Quattlebaum was hit by the semi-truck.

After receiving medical care on scene, Lexington County EMS transported Quattlebaum to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries.

The incident will be investigated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Quattlebaum, a Batesburg-Leesville native, served as a Lexington County firefighter for over 22 years. He was most recently based out of Station 27 serving the residents in the Samaria area.

He started as a volunteer firefighter in 1997, before being hired full-time in 2000.

In November 2002, Quattlebaum was promoted to the position of fire engineer. From October 2017 to March 2018 he also served as a ride-up captain, a fire engineer who serves in the roll of a captain when others are off duty.

Quattlebaum was a lance corporal in the United States Marine Corps, serving as a field-radio operator from 1992 to 1994. He received an honorable discharge due to injury.