Newberry, SC – Newberry Police Department (NPD) Lieutenant Michael “Mike” Wood died in the line of duty on Wednesday after he was involved in a crash while responding to a call.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:40 p.m. on July 16, WLTX reported.

South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) Corporal David Jones said Lt. Wood was heading southbound on Nance Street in his unmarked 2015 Ford Taurus patrol vehicle when he collided with a 2022 Freightliner Tractor Trailer traveling eastbound on Dixie Drive.

The vehicles collided at the intersection, Cpl. Jones said.

The driver of the tractor-trailer suffered unspecified injuries in the wreck and was transported to a local hospital, according to the SCHP.

Lt. Wood, 48, was rushed to Prisma Health Richland Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The NPD confirmed he was responding to a call when the crash occurred, WLTX reported.

NPD Chief Kevin Goodman said Lt. Wood dedicated the past 20 years of his life to the police department and described him as the ultimate public servant, according to WIS.

“Lieutenant Wood was an awesome individual,” Chief Goodman said. “He loved his family, and he absolutely treasured the city of Newberry, and the city of Newberry Police Department. Often times he would just reassure me ‘he loves this department, he’s not going anywhere, he’s going to be here the rest of his life.’”

The chief said the longtime lieutenant was a blessing and that his presence will be sorely missed.

Lt. Wood was also a husband and father, WIS reported.

A fundraising campaign established to help his family in the wake of their loss had raised more than $2,300 at publication time.

A procession of law enforcement vehicles escorted the fallen hero’s body from Prisma Health in Richland to Newberry Hospital on Thursday afternoon.

Lt. Wood will be laid to rest on July 31, according to his obituary.

1/2 It is with a heavy heart that the City of Newberry shares the loss of team member, Lt. Michael Wood.

He began his career with the city in 2003 with the Newberry Police Department. He rose through the ranks, promoted to Corporal in 2006, Sergeant in 2008 & Lieutenant in 2017. pic.twitter.com/ZiqyESHWnl

— City of Newberry, SC (@CityofNewberry) July 27, 2023

His name was Michael Wood, a Lieutenant with the Newberry Police Department. He was killed in a crash involving a tractor-trailer while responding to a call. Rest Easy Brother. Prayers for his family of blue and blood.#podcast #radio #talkradio #talkshow #truecrime #crime… pic.twitter.com/qihQ4tF979

— L.E.T. Radio Show Podcast (@LETRadioShowPo1) July 28, 2023

Below is the Go Fund Me link for the family of Lt. Michael Wood. Consider the family he left behind protecting the streets of Newberry.https://t.co/8taBToJ9RM (https://t.co/8taBToJ9RM)

— SCLEOA (@scleoa) July 28, 2023

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Newberry Police Department Lieutenant Michael “Mike” Wood, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.