Four Tour Iraq Veteran Killed By "Allegedly" Drunk Driver

Sister-in-law of veteran killed in wreck: 'He was a hero and his loss is deep'
KLTV New
By Francesca Washington
Posted: Dec 09, 2014
TYLER, TX

On Sunday night, 30-year old Jerry Howell was killed when his car was struck by a pickup truck on Highway 31, near Kilgore. His wife, Wendy was his passenger, and is still in a Tyler ICU.

"They were just dropping the kids off and heading home when it happened," said Mindy Benson, Jerry's sister-in-law.

Mindy Benson says her sister and brother-in-law, Wendy and Jerry Howell, spent Sunday afternoon among family, taking new family photos.

Later that night, their car was struck by Adam Hotaling, who was allegedly drunk behind the wheel. Hotaling, a Shreveport resident, is in the Smith County Jail, charged with intoxication manslaughter.

"If you're going to drink, stay where you are at, call a friend, call somebody. Don't get on the road. Because he walked away and they didn't, "Benson said. "I know that he never intended to have an accident when he set out. But that choice has impacted this family. It has taken away a father, a husband, a brother, an uncle, a son and a friend."

Benson says Jerry was in the U.S. Army for 17 years. He served four tours in Iraq and was awarded a Purple Heart in 2004.
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