Angelina County Honors Fallen Jasper County Deputy in Procession
Firetrucks from Angelina County lined a Highway 7 bridge on Monday to pay tribute to a Jasper County sheriff’s deputy who tragically lost her life in a car accident.
Members of the Angelina County Volunteer Fire Department joined the procession as the body of Deputy Lesley Wade, 24, was transported from Tyler back to her home in Zavalla.
Wade passed away on Friday following a collision on U.S. Highway 69, south of Huntington. According to a report from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), her vehicle struck the back of a box trailer being towed by a truck tractor. The trailer was reportedly blocking both southbound lanes of the highway as the truck waited for oncoming traffic while entering the highway from FM 1818. Visibility was severely impaired by heavy fog at the time of the accident.
Two children traveling in the back of Wade’s vehicle survived the crash and sustained possible non-life-threatening injuries.
The tribute by local firefighters underscored the community’s respect and mourning for the young deputy’s sacrifice and tragic passing.
