pbispan stylecolor 666666 font-size 10.5ptCharles Buck Clough Jr. died in April 15 crashspanibpdiv stylemargin-bottom 2.25ptbspan stylecolor black font-size 9ptBy M.J. NEUBERGER Staff Writerspanbdivdivspan stylecolor 999999 font-size 7.5ptPublished Thursday June 4 2009 331 PM CDTspandivdivspan stylecolor black font-size 9ptCENTREVILLE — spandivdivspan stylecolor black font-size 9ptSudlersville Fire Chief Charles quotBuckquot Clough Jr. tried to avoid colliding with another vehicle when his truck left the road and struck a tree April 15 according to an investigation by the Queen Annes County Sheriffs office.br br Clough who was 41 years old and a 26-year veteran of the Sudlersville Volunteer Fire Company was responding to a fire that evening when the fatal accident occurred and his line of duty death evoked an outpouring of support for his family and fellow company members from firefighters around the region culminating in an April 19 memorial ceremony attended by over a thousand people.br br The sheriffs investigation which has been reviewed by States Attorney Lance Richardson reported that Clough driving the fire companys Chief 6 vehicle was traveling south on Sudlersville Cemetery Road en route to the fire call with emergency equipment activated. As Cloughs vehicle approached the intersection with Duhamel Corner Road a 1998 Subaru station wagon driven by Charles Leager of Sudlersville was turning left from Duhamel Corner Road and entered Cloughs intended path. As Clough neared the intersection he had the Subaru in his traffic lane and Leager seeing the flashing lights behind him either slowed or stopped in the roadway investigators said. Clough entered the northbound lane in an attempt to avert a collision and losing traction on wet road turned sideways leaving the road and striking the tree.br br Investigators said both drivers were limited in their ability to see each other in time due to the varying elevations in the area of the intersection. Extensive rainfall and approaching dusk were additional factors according to deputies.br br Clough is survived by his wife Sandra sons Shane and Chase mother Beulah father Charles Sr. sister Charlene Klabe and numerous other family members.br br He was honored at recent Memorial Day ceremonies in Centreville as well as by proclamations from county commissioners and from Governor Martin OMalley. His name will be added to the Fallen Heroes Memorial on Route 18.spandiv
