Colleagues and loved ones are mourning the death of retired Prince George's County Deputy Fire Chief Carla Blue, who was killed in a car crash this weekend in Fort Washington.
Blue, 48, died after a crash about 3 a.m. Saturday on Route 210, fire department spokesman Mark Brady said. Blue, the first African-American woman to achieve her rank, retired in 2009 after 20 years service, Assistant Chief Darren Ware said.
"It's almost still unbelievable," he said. "She blazed a lot of trails in the Prince George's County Fire Department. But she also, as she blazed these trails, she left a map for others, so it would be easier for us to go the same route."
Ware said he admired Blue's positive outlook.
"She was always smiling and ... she was always willing to take on any task," he said.
Blue's family was too devastated on Monday to speak on camera. Blue is survived by her children, including her son Jamar, who is a Prince George's County firefighter.
Police say the fatal crash occurred as Blue tried to make a left turn onto Old Fort Road. A car smashed into her. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
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Blue's funeral will be held Tuesday, Sept. 29 at Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, Maryland. The viewing will be held 10 to 11 a.m. The service then will start. There will be a procession to Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, her family said.
