STAUNTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — Staunton and Augusta County Fire and Rescue are mourning the passing of one of their firefighters.

In a post, Staunton Fire and Rescue said Firefighter Zack Reese was involved in a fatal off-duty motorcycle crash.

Virginia State Police are investigating the crash that occurred Wednesday at approximately 6:40pm on Shenandoah Mountain Drive in Augusta County when a 2010 Kawasaki VN1700 motorcycle was heading westbound near Deerfield Valley Road when it lost control in a curve and went off of the right side of the road. Reese was wearing a helmet but died at the scene.

Reese was with the Staunton Department since December of 2024 and previously worked for Augusta’s department and volunteered with the Raphine Volunteer Department.

Both Fire and Rescue departments said their thoughts are with his family and friends and that he will be missed by many.