Clark’s widow Melanie offers forgiveness to truck driver
FirefighterNation Staff
HANOVER COUNTY, Virginia – WRIC reports that truck driver Lester LaBarge will spend two years behind bars for the 2018 crash that killed Hanover Fire Lieutenant Brad Clark.
LaBarge hit the back of a fire truck, injuring multiple firefighters, on Interstate 295 back in October of 2018.
Lieutenant Clark died at the scene and three other firefighters were injured.
Clark’s wife Melanie gave a very emotional statement during the sentencing.
Melanie said the last conversation she had with Brad was over the phone and that he got the call to respond to a crash. The last thing he said to her was that he loved her and she said “I love you and be careful.”
Fighting through tears as she spoke, she told LaBarge “I extend forgiveness to you.”
FireRescue Magazine: From Widow to Wounded Warrior
In court on Wednesday, LaBarge was sentenced to 10 years with eight years suspended for involuntary manslaughter and 12 months with 12 months suspended for reckless driving.
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