Former Medford fire chief dies in single-vehicle accident in Oak Ridge Turnpike

A Lake City man who was also a former volunteer fire chief in Medford died during a single-vehicle accident on Oak Ridge Turnpike near Elza Drive at about 4:46 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

Ronnie L. Braden, 62, was driving a black 2001 Ford pickup that went 15 feet down an embankment and into a tree, according to an Oak Ridge Fire Department report.

Rescuers said Braden had been complaining of chest pains before the accident.

In a statement Thursday afternoon, the Oak Ridge Police Department said Braden was declared dead at the scene by Anderson County Emergency Medical Services.

He and his wife, Connie S. Braden, 58, also of Lake City, had to be extricated from the vehicle and hauled up the embankment by rescuers.

After the accident, Ronnie Braden was taken to the Knox County Medical Examiner’s office at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Connie Braden was taken by Anderson County Emergency Medical Services to Methodist Medical Center for treatment.

The ORPD said the investigation is ongoing, and no further information is available at this time.

WYSH Radio in Clinton said early reports indicate that Braden lost consciousness before the accident.

WYSH said Connie Braden suffered injuries to her neck and arm in the accident and is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit at MMC. It took rescue crews more than an hour to free Ronnie Braden from the pickup truck.

Ronnie Braden served as chief of the Medford Volunteer Fire Department for about 10 years and was a member of the department, which is south of Lake City, for more than 30 years, WYSH said.

The radio station said funeral arrangements have not been announced because the family would like to wait until Connie is released from the hospital so she may attend.