Dekalb EMT, 32, killed helping crash victim

Paramedic was on way to Gulf to aid hurricane sufferers.

Late last week, Logan Wade and a partner were deployed to Louisiana hauling supplies for Hurricane Ida victims. But the emergency medical technicians didn’t make it out of Georgia.

While traveling on I-85 in Troup County in a box truck early Saturday, Wade and his partner, Nick Daniel, spotted a wreck. The pair stopped to help, and that’s when both Wade and Daniel were struck by a vehicle, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

Wade, who worked for American Medical Response Dekalb, was taken to a local hospital but died from his injuries. He was 32.

Daniel, who also worked for American Medical Response, suffered serious injuries, but they were not life-threatening, according to the State Patrol.

“We are heartbroken,” American Medical Response Regional Director Chris Valentin said. “Logan was a longtime AMR team member who always stepped up to help others. He stopped at this accident to help people in need, as he was selflessly headed to a disaster area. These acts are a testament to Logan’s commitment to his profession.”

Shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday, Wade and Daniel had parked on the shoulder of I-85 and walked across the interstate to help the driver of a Kia Forte who had struck a center median cable barrier, the State Patrol said in an emailed statement.

“After reaching the driver and triaging her injuries on the driver side of the vehicle, a Dodge pickup truck struck the rear of the Kia Forte. This impact caused the Kia Forte to strike both (men),” the State Patrol statement says.

Wade and Daniel were taken to Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center in Lagrange, where Wade died. No information was available Monday on Daniel’s condition.

Both the driver and a passenger in the pickup truck were flown to Piedmont Columbus Regional hospital for treatment, the State Patrol said.

The deadly crash remains under investigation and charges are pending, the agency said Monday.