A paramedic driving an ambulance was killed Wednesday evening in Hunt County after an impact with a rock-hauler, according to a Texas Highway Patrol official.
Highway Patrol Troopers were called to a major crash at U.S. 69, north of Greenville around 7 p.m. Wednesday.
A rock-hauler trailer-truck was backing up across two lanes of traffic along U.S. 69 when a UT Health East Texas EMS vehicle traveling southbound struck the trailer truck, according to Staff Sergeant Kyle Bradford.
The paramedic driving the ambulance, identified as 42-year-old David Eads from Frankston, was killed in the crash, according to Bradford.
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The passenger of the ambulance was transported to UT Health of East Texas in stable condition.
The driver of the trailer truck was not injured, Bradford said the driver was issued a citation for "violation of backing without safety."
Dedicated Paramedic Touched Countless Lives
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Eads is being remembered as a dedicated paramedic who touched countless lives over 24 years.
“David was the kind of medic who had the perfect balance of competency and compassion,” said Dr. Yagnesh Desai, UT Health East Texas EMS Medical Director. “He was a medic who cared for the whole person, not just the immediate medical need.”
UT Health East Texas EMS said Eads served the Tyler/Smith County area as a lead paramedic.
“David was the kind of person that made you feel better simply by being around him,” said John Smith, CEO of UT Health East Texas EMS. “He had a way of making those around him better because of his huge heart for EMS and concern over his patients.”
AMR Hunt County and the Hunt County Sheriff's Office gave Eads an honors escort to Cokers Funeral Home Wednesday.
The unit designation 809 will be retired and removed from service in Eads' honor.
