Funeral services set for Hilltop Lakes EMS director

LEON COUNTY / BELL COUNTY, Texas ( FOX 44 ) – UPDATE: The victim in a fatal crash east of Temple has been identified.

The Hilltop Lakes Volunteer Fire Department tells FOX 44 News that the person who passed away in the Tuesday morning crash was its EMS Director, Dennis Lee Smith. The crash occurred at FM-53 and State Highway 320. The department says Smith was on his way to work and never arrived for his shift.

Smith led the Hilltop Lakes EMS Department since 2016, and recently succeeded in getting the approval of a brand new ambulance. The department says he was known for his stern, yet soft personality, and knowledgeable mindset.

Smith also served as a volunteer firefighter and paramedic for numerous agencies throughout Northeast Texas for over 30 years, saving and impacting the lives of hundreds. He was a father of three and grandfather of three. The department says Smith’s family has been notified.

Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Faith Temple Lighthouse Church, located at 820 S 21st Street in Temple. This will be followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. A procession will then take place, and Smith will be escorted to his final resting spot at Resthaven Cemetery in Belton.

All surrounding agencies, if able, are encouraged to attend at the request of Smith’s family.

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