By Southern Torch Staff (Submitted Photo)

DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — On Friday, September 6, a pedestrian was killed while changing a flat tire on the Interstate 59 in DeKalb County, according to Curtis Summerville of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).

Christian Kole Richards, 28 of Dawson, was struck and killed by a 2019 GMC box truck at approximately 2:35pm, three miles south of Collinsville. Richards was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the GMC was not injured.

Richards was a graduate of Crossville High School and a member of the Crossville Fire Department.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Richards Family," said the Crossville Fire Department via Facebook. "We lost one of our own today while working his day job. Christian Kole Richards was a class act, a guy that loved his town, family man, a brother and a dedicated firefighter. Remember the Richards family in your prayers."

Richards' funeral service will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, September 11 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial in Fairview Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4pm to 8pm on Tuesday, September 10.

To donate to the Kole Richards Memorial Fund, please click here.