JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — Johnny Goines, a firefighter with the Verona Volunteer Fire Department, died shortly after responding to an emergency call late Friday, November 22, 2024.
At 10:46 p.m. that night, the Onslow County 911 Center received a call regarding a motor vehicle accident in the area of High Hill Road and Verona Road. Verona Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the scene.
A short time later Onslow County 911 Telecommunicators received a call at 11:07 p.m. regarding a white car in a ditch near 208 High Hill Road. Verona Volunteer Fire Department and Onslow County Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and found Mr. Goines unresponsive.
Chief Toby Thomas of the Verona Volunteer Fire Department, issued a statement:
“Johnny was dedicated to his fire department and to the Verona community. He was always quick to lend a hand and he brought a sense of joy and comradery to our department that will be sorely missed. He operated a landscaping business and even took care of some of our elderly residents’ yards for free because that’s the kind of guy he was.“
Services for Goines will be at the Verona Baptist Church at 3876 Wilmington Highway. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 27, 2024 from 1-2 p.m. and the funeral will begin at 2 p.m. The funeral procession will be led by fire engines from Verona Volunteer Fire Department and will escort Goines through the Verona community one final time before he is laid to rest in Onslow Memorial Park.
