Former Selma interim fire chief convicted of leaving the scene of fatal wreck

Franklin Edwards/Source: Jefferson County Jail

Former Selma interim Fire Chief Franklin Edwards has been convicted of leaving the scene of a fatal wreck in Jefferson County.

Court records show that Edwards was convicted of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, but was found not guilty of reckless manslaughter.

Edwards was involved in a crash with a motorcycle on Interstate 59 in June of 2020, records show. The crash killed the motorcyclist, 22-year-old Matthew Sartin of Pineville, Louisiana.

Court records state the car Edwards was driving was found abandoned two miles from the crash scene.

Edwards is scheduled to be sentenced April 7.

Edwards was assistant fire chief and was serving as interim fire chief when the wreck happened.