Officer, deputy fire chief, new father killed in Hunt County wrong way crash

Family and first responders are mourning a North Texas police officer and deputy fire chief killed in a wrong-way crash while driving home from work early Monday morning.

Austin Cooley, 26, was a deputy chief for South Hunt County Fire-Rescue and a police officer in Kaufman. Cooley was headed home early Monday morning after working the night shift when, according to Texas DPS investigators, his Honda Accord crossed into oncoming traffic on Texas 34 near Greenville and collided with a Dodge pickup truck.

Despite their efforts, first responders said Cooley died at the scene.

“He drives home through our district,” said South Hunt County Fire-Rescue Chief Ryan Biggers.

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