Posted on 11/23/2007 12:13:36 PM PST by Tennessee Nana
An aide to U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander has died today from injuries sustained in a Monday night vehicle accident that also killed an assistant Maryville College football coach and seriously injured another man.
Jack Heatherly “Trey” Lefler, 25, of Loudon, died Thursday, according to press releases from Alexander and U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, both Tennessee Republicans.
Shawn Jeremiah Cody Bowers, 25, of Madisonville, a defensive backs coach at Maryville College, was killed shortly before 11 p.m. Monday when his black 2004 Toyota Tundra slammed into a pair of trees on a curvy, secluded road leading to a college meeting facility known as the House in the Woods.
Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp said two passengers in the pickup, Lefler and Matt Lambert, 24, of Maryville, were injured.
Lefler was in the front seat and thrown through the windshield. Lambert was in the back seat. None of the three was wearing a seat belt, Crisp had said.
Lefler worked in Alexander’s federal office in Washington for several years, and was serving most recently as his state field representative for Alexander’s 2008 re-election campaign, according to the Alexander press release.
“Trey Lefler lived a good and cheerful life but it was far too short,” Alexander said on the release. “We will miss him terribly. Our hearts go out to the Lefler family and the Bowers and Lambert families.”
Lefler’s sister, Laura Lefler, is Corker’s press secretary.
“Our state has lost an outstanding young man today,” Corker said. “Trey Lefler’s commitment to public service has made Tennessee stronger and his warm smile and genuine care and compassion for others brightened every room he entered. On this Thanksgiving day, we celebrate all that he accomplished in his short life and continue to remember the Lefler family in our thoughts and prayers.”
Lefler and Bowers played football together at Loudon High School, where Bowers was an all-region quarterback and defensive back and Lefler was an all-region wide receiver who set a single-season reception record.
More details online and in Friday’s News Sentinel.
© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
He was cheerful and optimistic and will be sorely missed by all who knew him...
Did you know this young man?
Sad story. I can't count the number of fatalities that involved speeding, alcohol and no seat belts. The combinations of the three usually have a tragic ending. Prayers to the family.
No, I didn’t
PING
shame....prayer for the parents and his soul
No, didn't know any of them.....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.