Texas pastor stops to help after Texas highway accident, dies saving other man

SHERMAN, Texas (KWTX) - A Houston area pastor who was one of two men who pulled over to help out following a crash late Saturday night on a North Texas highway died after saving the other as an 18-wheeler barreled toward them.

John Powell, 38, the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in New Caney, and the other man stopped to help after a vehicle rear-ended a truck pulling a trailer at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday on U.S. Highway 75 and then caught on fire, KXII in Sherman reported.

As they stood on the roadside, Powell spotted the 18-wheeler headed their way.

He was struck and killed after he pushed the other man out of the truck’s path, KXII reported.

A GoFundMe account established for Powell’s family had raised more than $200,000 by midday Tuesday.

Andrew Walker, who created the account, has known Powell for nearly two decades, KXII reported.

“In true form, this servant and gentle leader we all knew and love gave his life so that others may live,” he wrote.

Powell was a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and Southern Seminary.

He’s survived by his wife, Katherine, and four children.

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