VALDOSTA, Ga. – Lowndes County Deputy Chris Butler died Saturday when his patrol car struck a semi-truck and burst into flames.
Georgia State Patrol officials say the 39-year-old Butler was responding to a domestic violence call when the truck pulled into the path of his patrol car.
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Witnesses nearby attempted to rescue Butler from the burning car.
"I heard a big bang. I looked out the window and saw that a vehicle and a semi had collided in the highway," said Charles Miller, man who pulled Butler from the car.
Butler later died at a hospital.
Miller told WALB-TV that this has been the third accident at that intersection within the past few months.
Sheriff Ashley Paulk says Butler started working with the sheriff's office three and a half years ago and became a full-time patrol officer a year and a half ago.
He leaves behind a wife and two daughters.
The State Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash. Charges are pending.