Local paramedic killed in motorcycle accident

The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a fatal motorcycle accident that claimed the life of a local LifeNet paramedic.

Oct. 10 2019 @ 3:05am

DeKALB, Texas — The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a fatal motorcycle accident that claimed the life of a local LifeNet paramedic.

The accident happened at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday on Farm to Market Road 1701 near DeKalb, according to a preliminary DPS report. The victim has been identified as Darren Wayne Cowley, 33, of Avery, Texas, according to the report.

Cowley was driving his motorcycle eastbound on FM 1701 when he was struck by a westbound Ford F-350 truck that was carrying a trailer. The driver of the truck did not see the motorcycle as it attempted to turn left onto a private drive, according to the report.

The accident remains under investigation.

Cowley had worked in LifeNet Inc. Texarkana Division since August of 2011, according to the information posted on LifeNet's Facebook page.

"Darren started his career with us as an EMT and became a paramedic three years later. Throughout his career at LifeNet, he served throughout our Texarkana Division and was an inspiration to many EMTs as they were starting their career and did their clinical third-rides with him at LifeNet. Later in his career, Darren became an instructor with the Paramedic Program at Texarkana College, where his influence and legacy will live on in the numerous paramedics he helped train for both LifeNet and other EMS programs in the region," the post stated.

Cowley's dedication to his patients and colleagues earned him the honor of being named LifeNet's 2014 Star of Life. The honor is only bestowed upon one EMS professional in the Texarkana Division each year. As part of the honor, he represented the company in Washington, D.C., that same year during the American Ambulance Association's annual Stars of Life event.

"Cowley was known by his peers as a leader, a friend, an amazing instructor, and an all-around good person to know. He leaves a hole in the hearts of those he worked with that will never be filled. The memories of his friendship and compassion, along with his legacy as a leader in EMS education, will help heal our hurt as time goes on and we mourn his passing," the LifeNet post said.