Raising flag pole kills Iraq veteran, injures brother

On Thursday, August 13, brothers Brian, Whitley and Collin Reed began the project of putting up a flag pole at their home just north of Normangee. Brian and Whitley were in the process of lifting the pole when Collin, the youngest of the three, saw the pole was close to a power line. By the time he could warn his brothers the pole had already hit the line sending electricity into Brian and Whitley.

Brian, 22, who recently returned from Iraq, received the primary surge of electricity. He died at St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan shortly following the accident.

Brian’s brother, Whitley, a Normangee High School senior and All-State football and basketball player was airflighted to Dallas for treatment. According to KBTX in Bryan, Whitley lost his right pinkie toe and received severe burns to his right hand and foot.

Services for Brian were held in Lake Charles, Louisiana.