SMITH COUNTY, Texas — A Smith County Emergency Services District 2 firefighter is warning drivers to be cautious around first responders on the side of the road after he was hit by a by pickup truck while assisting in a wreck this past Sunday.
According to Smith County ESD 2, around 8:30 p.m., Brett Lester was responding to a crash on FM 850 when he was struck by a truck.
Lester has only been with SCESD2 for about five months. For him, being a first responder isn’t a job – it’s a calling. Coming from eight generations of law enforcement, he wasn’t old enough yet to join the police academy at 20 years old.
"Next best thing is being a fireman. Started volunteering at 15 (years old) and just fell in love with (firefighting)," Lester said.
Dashcam video shows Lester directing traffic while Texas Department of Public Safety troopers cleared the scene when a truck nears the scene appearing not to slow down.
"I start waving my hands holding a stop sign. Doesn’t look like (the driver) is going to stop. I start to go one direction; (the driver) starts swerving that direction. I start to go the other direction and (the driver) goes that direction and I dive out of the way," Lester said.
Lester said the truck hit him on the hip. He spun around and fell onto the side of the road.
"I freaked out. Wow, that actually happened," Lester said.
He was taken to a local hospital where he was released with minor injuries hours later. SCESD2 says this is the second time one of their firefighters has been hit in the last month.
"They said I might have some small fractures. I still have to be checked out by a orthopedic surgeon to make sure, but hopefully I’ll be cleared and back to work soon," Lester said.
He's using this incident as an opportunity to caution drivers of first responders on the side of the road.
"Slow down, be aware, and watch for first responders. We all have families too," Lester said.
Authorities are still looking for the driver of the truck that hit Lester.
The truck involved is described as a late 90s GMC. It is dark in color, possibly green or black, with a stepside bed and something mounted behind the cab on each side of the bed.
If you have any information on the crash, please call SCESD2 at (903) 617-6578.