Friends Remember Duncan Firefighter Who Died In Motorcycle Crash

News 9 learned more about the man who died in an awful accident over the weekend involving several bikers in Stephens County who were hit when a vehicle crossed the center line.

Friends and coworkers remember Monty Howell, a Duncan firefighter who lived a life of service putting others ahead of himself.

“He was that kind of example of a man that everybody should wish to be.”

He was a servant and fireman for 25 years in his hometown of Duncan.

4/11/2015 Related Story: One Dead In Wreck Near Comanche Involving 13 Motorcycles, 1 Pickup

“He was always the first guy on the rescue truck,” Assistant Chief Kevin Hammack said. “If there was an accident or if there was somebody that needed help, he was always on the rescue truck trying to make sure that he got there first.”

However, this weekend Howell was the one who needed help, but didn't make it after a truck crossed the center line and hit him head on. He was one of 13 riders of the Duncan Moose Lodge. They were near Comanche on Highway 81. Howell died at the scene. His motorcycle was no match for the oncoming vehicle.

“You might shine your bike up or your car up. The best you could do is hope to get it as shiny and as clean as Monty's.”

He was always on his bike and now always in the hearts of those who knew him.

“We're going to miss him,” Buddy Rozell said. “There's not going to be anything we do that we don't look around and see him,”

OHP has identified Fred Cox III of Duncan as the driver of that vehicle.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Five people were transported to OU Medical Center.

• Randy Nowlin, 59
• Beverly Nowlin, 58
• Randall Page, 29 – serious condition
• Rose Brown, 24 – fair condition
• Davina Wyer-Buchanan, 39 – good condition