Juan Antonia Smith died while responding with Rockdale County Fire Rescue to a reported fire.
CONYERS, Ga. — Rockdale County officials and firefighters are mourning Juan Antonia Smith, a Fire Rescue firefighter killed Friday when a fire truck overturned during an emergency response.
The fatal crash happened near Sigman Road and Eastview Road as the crew was responding to a structure fire call. The Georgia State Patrol is handling the investigation. Officials said Smith was ejected from the truck and died at the scene, leaving the county fire department facing a line-of-duty death.
According to investigators, the Rockdale County Fire Rescue truck was making a left turn when it rolled onto its passenger side. The crash happened at about 5 p.m. Friday. County officials first said the firefighter’s name would be withheld until family notifications were complete. Gov. Brian Kemp later identified the firefighter as Smith and said the loss was sudden and tragic.
Fire Chief James Robinson said the department was grieving alongside Smith’s family. Robinson said the county was thankful for support from the community as firefighters worked through what he called an unimaginable loss. County officials described Smith as a firefighter who died while serving the community.
The crash drew a large emergency response to the intersection. Witnesses described seeing the apparatus on its side and firefighters rushing to help. One witness said responders tried to lift part of the truck with equipment after the firefighter was thrown from the vehicle. A nearby resident said the loss hit hard because local firefighters often helped neighbors beyond emergency calls.
Rockdale County Fire Rescue serves about 132 square miles and responds to thousands of calls each year, including fires, medical calls, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescues and weather emergencies. The department was established in 1951 and remains one of the county’s main public safety agencies.
Investigators have not released a final cause of the crash. Officials also have not said whether road conditions, speed, equipment issues or another vehicle played any role. The Georgia State Patrol is expected to review the crash scene, vehicle movement and witness accounts before releasing more findings.
Smith’s death remains under investigation. County officials said additional information will be shared after the next steps in the inquiry and family notifications are complete.
Author note: Last updated June 13, 2026.