Louisa pauses, remembers 20-year-old firefighter who died in line of duty 2 years ago

LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Louisa County took a moment this Labor Day to honor the memory of a 20-year-old firefighter who tragically died in the line of duty two years ago.

On Monday, Sept. 1, the Mineral Volunteer Fire Department took to Facebook to talk about Mia Ethridge on the anniversary of her death.

Ethridge was a full-time firefighter/EMT with Louisa County Fire and EMS, as well as a volunteer firefighter with the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department. She died on Sept. 1, 2023 as a result of injuries she sustained in the line of duty months prior.

The afternoon of Saturday, July 9, 2023, Ethridge and another Louisa firefighter were responding to a report of a structure fire when their fire truck crashed into a tree near Peach Grove Road. As a result of the impact, Ethridge was thrown from the truck.

July 9 crash involving a Mineral Volunteer Fire Department fire engine near Peach Grove Road.

July 9 crash involving a Mineral Volunteer Fire Department fire engine near Peach Grove Road.

Both firefighters were hospitalized, with Ethridge's fellow firefighter being released soon after. Ethridge remained in the hospital due to her more serious injuries, with her community quickly coming to her side -- but tragically, months later, she passed away.

While Ethridge and her fellow firefighter were working a call for the Louisa County Fire and EMS at the time of the crash, they were using a Mineral Volunteer Fire Department fire engine.

"[Ethridge's] passion for the fire service was truly remarkable," Mineral fire officials said. "The motivation, dedication and commitment she brought to perfecting her craft will live on forever in the hearts of her brothers and sisters in Louisa County."

On Monday, 10 of Mineral's volunteer firefighters went to the crash site to honor Ethridge and pay their respects to her. A very special ceremonial bell was rung in her honor.

Mia Ethridge (Photo: John McClement, The Yard Foundation)

Memorial for fallen firefighter Mia Ethridge. (Photo: Mineral Volunteer Fire Department)

Firefighter Mia Ethridge. (Photo: Mineral Volunteer Fire Department)

"In 2002, the Mineral Volunteer Fire Department purchased its first ceremonial bell, which was mounted on the previous Engine-2 to honor the last alarm of fallen firefighters," fire officials said. "When that apparatus was wrecked, the bell was salvaged and honorably installed on our newly built Engine-2 to continue its legacy. At the memorial, our members rendered a solemn salute as the bell tolled five times, repeated three times, to signify Firefighter Mia Ethridge’s ultimate sacrifice."

Ethridge was among the seven fallen firefighters from Central Virginia who were honored at the 27th-annual Virginia Fallen Firefighters & EMS Memorial Service in June 2024.