20-year-old Copperas Cove man struck, killed while crossing Highway 190 Wednesday evening

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

A 20-year-old Copperas Cove man lost his life last Wednesday, Sept. 23, while heading home from work.

Vincent Deemy was riding his powered scooter, which his fiancee’s family had given him so he wouldn’t have to walk home from work. He was traveling along the shoulder of West Business 190 and was crossing the highway toward Garden Street, when a vehicle struck him.

Deemy was transported to a local hospital, but was pronounced deceased.

Aluara Deemy, 19, his sister, was also his shift manager at Dairy Queen at the corner of 190 and Georgetown Road. She recounted the events of last Wednesday evening.

“What happened is, he had gotten off work early and he was riding his scooter home. It has reflector lights. He drives on the side of the road, not near the white line but near the grass. When he went to cross the highway, another vehicle came by and hit him.

“I was told he was immediately unconscious. The person stopped and gave assistance, and called…he passed on the way to the hospital. It was not a hit-and-run. But, it doesn’t make sense. They have lights up there, but they’re not on,” said Aluara. “He was working on so many things. I actually had $400, saved up to help him. He wanted to get his GED, he wanted to do so many things.”

Deemy’s mother, Sherry Friend is a 100 percent disabled veteran, and is struggling with the loss, saying that the incident is still under investigation.

Friend lives in Arizona and said they drove all night and all day to make it to Texas, after hearing about her son.

“He had the most beautiful smile, he was so fun to be around, he could always make you laugh,” Friend reflected. “Solid gold, he was solid gold. I was so proud of him.”

Now, Deemy’s sister and mother are seeking help with funeral costs. So far, the two have raised a little more than $2,000 for Deemy’s final expenses, which are an estimated $8,000 for the bare minimum funeral alone, said Aluara.

“I really want him to have something good because he deserves it,” Aluara added. “He was the one to always put a smile on your face. His favorite color was purple.”

Aluara expressed thanks to VFW Post 8577 in Copperas Cove, for contributing, along with her manager at Dairy Queen.

“He has let me put up a sign with the donation link at the store, and he has talked about getting a cement pot set up outside to remember Vinny,” Aluara said, who has already put up a small marker along Highway 190 where the accident occurred.

In the days since her brother has passed, she has continued to work, even as she and her fellow coworkers grieve together.

Aluara has set up a GoFundMe account, which can be found at https://gf.me/u/y2kwqq. She also said she may be contacted directly at (254) 371-9174.