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Truly a tragic loss, my prayers go out to his family and his company. I do not intend to pour salt on their grief but I think the police are being very kind in saying that speed was not a factor. He flipped the car over two or three times while driving in the fog. Perhaps they should look at their home response policies for underage drivers.
 

I am very sorry for the family and my sympathy is with the fire department and the family. This is an issue that should be looked into deeper. Underage members should not be allowed to respond to calls at certain times or at all. Age is a huge factor in this and should be looked into by the fire department. I hope that everyone will take a step back and really look into whether it is smart to let junior members or underage members respond to calls, especially if they have only been driving for a few years.
 

What a tragedy. Any word on the young man's memorial service?
 

Prayers go out to the young man and especially to his family that must endure this loss. Before pointing any fingers remember that this kid was only doing what he thought was right. Maybe he didn't exercise the best judgement but that is our responsibility as experienced members to teach the importance of self preservation and prudence to our junior members. This kid wasn't a drunk driver, on drugs, or running from the cops, he was responding to an incident to help someone he probably didn't even know. These days I say these kind of young adults are an exception not the rule of what we see from the vast majority of our young adults. I truly hate to hear of these types of tragedies when a young, promising life is ended. RIP Broiher
 

FF Smith's service will be held on Tuesday November 11th and 11 am at Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton, VA.
 

Our deepest sympathy to the family of FF Roy Smith III. And to our brothers and sisters of McGaheysville Volunteer Fire Co- our thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
 

To Clear up some confusion in regards to this event, Early Friday morning there was very heavy fog in the Shenandoah valley of Virginia. Virginia State police stated that Speed was not a Factor.

God Bless Roy !!!
 

Before judgement is rendered on whether the police are being kind and Roy being out at the hour he was, all of you need to get the facts before passing judgement. The curve where he wrecked is a bad curve on a good day. Any person driving that road at a safe rate of speed in the fog could easily miss the curve. The fog was very thick, and the road was very difficult to see.

As far as Roy being out at the hour he was. He was not some careless juvenile out drinking or doing drugs, but going to help someone he didn't even know.

In todays society it is not uncommon to see teens out at all ours of the night doing things they shouldn't be doing, and the parents have no clue where they are. But are very surprised when the law comes to their door because their child has done something wrong.

Roy's mother knew that he was going to the fire, and both parents were very supportive of him being a member of the Fire Department, and very proud what he had chosen to do with his life.

Don't point fingers. Until you are in the shoes of these parents, you have not right to pass judgment.
 

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and to the fire department. It is a difficult time for all. My son is 16, a junior in high school and he to volunteers for his local fire department and loves every minute of it. I worry every time he comes in to tell me he has a call. Yes, on weekends it could be 2:00am. Does this make me less of a parent, or mean I love my son less than the next parent because I let him go? No, I don't think so! I know the risks all too well. His father died in the line of duty 6 years ago and the fire family has been my sons lifesaver. Firefighters love what they do and I am proud of what they do for our community and for others. No matter what their age is. There is always that chance of the unthinkable. Junior firefighters are our future firefighters and it is a great program. If you don't know about the program, go to your local department and get more information on it. If anything, it has opened the eyes of my teenage driver. Especially when he responded to a MVA after school one day and it was three of his high school classmates. One did not survive. Speed was a factor that day. My son will make mistakes, but we all do no matter how old we are. When it is time for him to be called home to be with the Lord it will not matter what he is doing or his age at that time. Support the family and the department during this time of sorrow. Do not judge them on what you think they should or should not do. This young man lost his life doing something he loved, believed in and trying to help someone else. That someone else could have been you. Give him, his family, and the department the respect and support that they deserve. God bless them and help them through this tough time.
 

I dont really know Roy but I just want to take the time and say god bless ROY SMITH111. Roy was a very nice young man but the morning he crashed just stopped the world.Roy was on his way to a fire leaving home it was way to FOGGY to even see where he was at.Roy missed the curve and the vechile landed in someones drive way by rolling two or more times he died instintlly...I really feel really bad for Roys mom and the MVFC group 80 it was nobodys fault soo dont point fingers just be there for the FIRE DEPARTMENT ang for Roys mom they need your comfort and for someone to talk to and someone that understands their pain... R.I.P ROY D,SMITH 111 YOU WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US!!!!!!!