UVALDE (November 5, 2018)- Newlyweds were 90 minutes into their marriage when their helicopter went down in Uvalde, Texas.
Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman Byler met at Sam Houston State University and quickly became college sweethearts. The two were both seniors studying agriculture. The wedding was held Saturday, November 3rd in Uvalde on Byler’s family ranch.
The pilot of the helicopter, Gerald Green Lawrence, 76, was also killed in the crash. Lawrence was a captain in the U.S. Army and a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was very familiar with the route and arrived to the wedding without any problems on Saturday morning.
Approximately 15 miles outside of Uvalde the helicopter crashed into a hill. The couple and pilot died in the crash. They were scheduled to land at the San Antonio airport around midnight but they never showed up. Family began to get worried when they did not receive any phone calls from their arrival.
Uvalde police received a call from air traffic control around midnight Saturday notifying them of a possible downed aircraft. Early Sunday morning several agencies began to search and were able to locate the accident. Texas DPS and the Federal Aviation Administration continue to investigate the collision. Authorities report the incident involved a Bell 206B – a two bladed, twin-engine chopper.
Mr. Lawrence, was recently married in April. He leaves behind his wife, two daughters, three stepdaughters and two grandchildren.
If you or a loved one were involved in an aircraft accident, it is important to contact a legal expert to help you evaluate your options. Call (713) 987-7111 or send us an email to discuss your aircraft accident injury case.
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