Rocketry Planet
| POTROCS member David Hailey, Sr. killed in head-on wreck |
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| Flier Tribute by Planet News | |
| Saturday, July 03, 2010 | |
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PROSPER, Texas USA — Tragedy struck the family of a member of the Panhandle of Texas Rocketry Society (POTROCS) Friday when an accident claimed his life. The accident occurred in the area of Texas SH 56 and Craft Road just east of Sherman around 3:30PM. David Hailey, Sr. of Prosper, Texas, a community north of Dallas, died at the scene following unsuccessful attempts by emergency medical personnel to perform CPR on him. His Ford F250 pickup truck was struck head-on by a tow truck after the wrecker hydroplaned on the wet road and crossed over into oncoming traffic. Hailey was an active member of POTROCS and participated in the rocketry hobby with his son, David Jr. When the accident occurred, he was returning home from land the family owned where the father and son team were constructing a workshop for them to build rockets together. Hailey's pursuit of the hobby together with his son was to encourage his son to get an engineering degree. David Jr. is pursuing that goal, currently attending Purdue University where he participated on the Student Hybrid Rocket Project. Friend of the family Pat Gordzelik had planned on seeing Hailey and his son at Gordzelik's Cross Plains home today only to discover an email from the family this morning canceling the visit. "We were excited about seeing our old friends and fellow POTROCS members," Gordzelik said in an email communication about the accident addressed to the members of the POTROCS club. "He had been working on a project on some land that was actually a joint father/son project to build rockets, and one of the reasons they were coming to Cross Plains was to pick up rocket supplies," Gordzelik added. The family didn't learn of the accident until after 7:00PM last night, assuming Hailey was just running late. "David Sr. will be sorely missed," Gordzelik said, an emotion shared by the POTROCS membership. Services will be held at 1:00PM CST on Tuesday, July 6th, at: Denton Bible Church David Hailey, Sr. was 46 years old. This article will be updated as more information becomes available. |
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-John DeMar
Las Cruces, NM
I was so shook up, I had pulled over, shaking. My phone rang, and it was Retta, checking on me. Women/wifes seem to possess premonition. I told her what had just happened. This morning I checked the time recorded on my phone when Retta had called me.
It was yesterday @ 3:22 PM.
I have been thinking all day long what David Jr. and his family is going through. I thought about waking up this morning, and excitedly preparing for the David's visit. I had even pulled some pork ribs out of the freezer to smoke for dinner for us all.
And then I checked my email. After I had called David (I simply did not know what to say), Retta woke up and came into my office, and asked if the Haileys were here yet. All I could do was show her David's email.
Hug your loved ones. You never know.
And David, if you are reading this, like John D said, if there is anything, anything we can do.........
Pat
David Sr. was someone really passionate about the hobby. What an awful, awful loss.
*updated: added a few more photos taken by my dad.
I wish the best for David Jr and the family.
Again, David if there is ever anything I can do for you, please give me a call.