LONGVIEW — Longview Police officer, Stedmond Coleman died and a 9-month-old child was hospitalized after a one vehicle crash Thursday night on Farm to Market 2909.
According to a post on LPD's Facebook page, Officer Cole was off duty at the time of the crash.
DPS officials said that the officer was traveling heading east on Farm to Market 2909 and approaching Garrett Rd.
The vehicle got to a left curve and veered off the right (south) side of the roadway, the driver then caused the vehicle to then veer left and skid to the side.
The vehicle side skidded all the way north of the roadway and hit a culvert, causing the vehicle to roll. Coleman, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected through the open sunroof of the vehicle.
Authorities also said that a 9-month-old child was riding in the vehicle with him at the time of the crash.
The child was still buckled inside the vehicle in a child safety seat after the crash and was taken to and later released from a nearby hospital.
He was airlifted to a Tyler hospital, and at around 10:30 p.m., the department was told that Officer Cole passed away.
Coleman was a Longview police officer for almost five years.
There will be a balloon release vigil at 7:30 p.m. Thursday night. It is open to the public.
The family asks mourners bring a helium filled balloon to release in his honor.
Longview police set up a memorial in Coleman's honor in the lobby of the police department.
