By Joyce Marie Taylor
Suwannee Democrat
LIVE OAK, Fla. — Twenty-one-year-old Brady Lee Fraley of Jasper died from injuries sustained in a single vehicle rollover crash in Hamilton County last Friday, according to a press release from the Florida Highway Patrol.
The report states that on Friday, April 10, at 9:40 p.m., a 2009 Chevy pickup, driven by Brady Fraley, 21, Jasper, was traveling northbound on SW 61st Ave., north of SW 69th Dr. in Hamilton County. The pickup traveled onto the southbound shoulder of SW 61st Ave. and began to rotate in a clockwise direction before striking a barbed wire fence and several fence posts with its left rear. The vehicle then traveled into the southbound lane and overturned several times, ejecting the driver. The pickup came to final rest in the roadway upright facing east. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene by Hamilton County EMS, according to FHP.
Passenger Amanda Wynn Brady, 35, Jasper, received minor injuries in the crash, FHP said. No information was given about the cause of the crash.
Fraley was well known in the community and his sudden and unexpected death has left many in shock and in sad disbelief. According to his obituary from Harry T. Reid Funeral Home, Fraley was born June 10, 1993 in Morehead, Ky. to Randy and Melinda Fraley. He moved to Hamilton County seven years ago and was a 2011 graduate of Hamilton County High School.
Fraley continued his education and successfully completed Fire College in Ocala. He was recently appointed as assistant fire chief with the Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department.
According to Hamilton County EMS Director Henry Land, Fraley received EMT and FEMA training and was employed by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office as a certified 911 dispatcher.
Fraley’s obituary further stated that to know him was to love him, as he was a kind and generous young man, always putting the needs of others above his own. Fraley was preceded in death by an aunt, Becky Fraley.
Survivors include his mother and step-father, Melinda and Brian Traywick, Jasper; his father, Randy Fraley, Muses Mills, Ky.; his brother, Brett Fraley, Jasper; maternal grandparents, Marion and Sue Rigdon; paternal grandparents, Larry and Kathy Fraley; his uncle, Michael Rigdon (Tracy); three aunts, Marilyn Rigdon, Melissa Carter (Jeff) and Carla Terry (Chris); cousins, Ryan, Leah, Lindsay and Laela.
Funeral and memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, at the Hamilton County Annex. Interment is being held in Fraley’s hometown in Kentucky on Friday, April 17.
“Brady will truly be missed,” said HCSO Sergeant Emily Lumpkin. “He was a B-shift dispatcher and he always went above and beyond the call of duty. He would always take it upon himself to go that extra mile to make sure things were done in a timely manner. His positive energy always made it a pleasure to be in his presence. He was never selfish with his skills, in which he possessed many. If he could help you, he would. He was never too busy to make you a part of his day. Rest in peace, Brady, 10-7 here on earth, 10-8 in Heaven, 10-42 with the Lord. I miss you already,” Lumpkin added.
“Brady, you always had a smile on your face and looked at the brighter side of any situation,” said Judy Paulk,CRO for HCSO. “We will meet again in our Father’s house, but until then, you will be greatly missed by all whose lives you touched. R.I.P., Brady.”
Land said Fraley’s passing is without a doubt a devastating event and a great loss for the county, as well as his fellow coworkers.
“Brady was a great asset to Hamilton County,” said Land. “He was full of life, very energetic, and always striving for the well being of the citizens of Hamilton County and his fellow firefighters.”
Land recalled that Fraley joined up with the Hamilton County Fire Explorers program when he was 15 and was one of the first kids in the county to participate in the program.
“He would go to meetings and training sessions at Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department while in the Explorers program and later went for more training at Hamilton County EMS,” said Land. “He had a long list of certifications and was always eager to learn more.”
HCSO Sheriff Harrell Reid said Fraley’s passing was a tragic shock to the entire agency.
“We are all mourning and grieving because we are such a small agency,” said Reid. “Fraley was a good man. He was young, but mature beyond his years and accepted responsibility well.”
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©2015 the Suwannee Democrat (Live Oak, Fla.)