Colleagues pay tribute to US cop killed with family in horror Wexford collision
The colleagues of the US policeman who was one of four people killed in a horrific collision on Wexford's N25 have paid tribute to a "decorated officer" who received numerous commendations.
Father-of-two Steven (49), was a police officer with the Bolingbrook Police Department near Chicago.
His colleagues issued a statement earlier today.
It read: "It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Officer Stephen Alexander, badge #1126. Steve was killed in an automobile crash in New Ross / Wexford, Ireland on December 4th, 2017. Steve’s father Doug, mother Lily, and brother Doug Junior were also killed in the crash. The Alexander family was in Ireland to attend a family funeral. Steve was a proud father who left behind two daughters, age 11 and 10, who were his pride and joy.
"Steve was a decorated Officer who had received numerous department commendations. Steve received the Life Saving Award in 2013, received the departments Top Gun Award and was nominated as Police Officer of the Year in 2014 and 2015."
In the statement Director Ken Teppel stated: “Steve was an exemplary officer who took great pride in his law enforcement career and who devoted himself to protecting and serving the citizens of Bolingbrook.
"Steve will be missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him and we will forever keep the Alexander family in our thoughts and our prayers.”
Steven Alexander, his brother Doug Jnr and his parents Doug and Lily were all killed in the collision with a truck near New Ross.
The family had travelled from Illinois to Ireland for a family funeral.
The road was closed all day as forensic officers carried out an investigation but it has since reopened.
Local Cllr John Flemming knows the Alexander’s extended family.
He said: "The family themselves were a lovely good natured family, well respected in the area and I think the whole place is in shock, especially coming up to Christmas, a time of celebration but it is now a dark time in the area."
Tributes are being paid to a family of four who were killed in a road crash in Co Wexford.
RTÉ have named the deceased as Lily Ryan-Alexander and her husband Doug, who were both 75, and their sons, Doug Jnr, 52, and 49-year-old Steven Alexander.
The family, from Oakland, Illinois, were home for a family funeral, in Lacken, New Ross, which took place this afternoon.
All four were pronounced dead after their rented car was in a collision with a truck on the N25 near New Ross.
Local Cllr John Flemming says the community is stunned by the news.
He said: "Everybody is completely shocked by the news, it was a huge tragedy and everybody is completely numb."
Investigations are continuing after four members of the same family were killed in a car crash in Co Wexford.
A man, his wife and their two sons all died when their rented car collided with a truck near New Ross.
The family, who lived in Illinois, had come to Ireland from America for a funeral.
The husband and wife in their 70s and their two sons in their 50s and 40s were all killed when their rented BMW hit a truck. The driver and passenger of the truck were unhurt but in shock.
A section of the N25 remains closed this afternoon as investigators examine the scene and try to figure out how the crash occurred.
The truck and car had been travelling in the same direction but the car may have tried to turn around.
Chief Superintendent John Roche of the Wexford Division said it is the worst collision he has seen in his career.
Speaking to South East Radio, Mr Roche appealed for witnesses.
"At the time of the accident, there was a high volume of traffic on the N25 travelling both east and west.
"We are just asking if any person saw a silver BMW travelling east followed by a high sided, red coloured 40-foot articulated lorry."
The funeral the family had planned to attend proceeded this afternoon in Cushinstown.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses after a crash in County Wexford that killed four members of the same family.
A couple in their 70s and their two sons were in a car that collided with a truck near New Ross last night.
Gardaí said the three men and a woman were declared dead at the scene last night following the horrific crash at Begerin Hill about four kilometres east of New Ross on the N25.
The family in the car are believed to have moved to the US, but returned home for a funeral.
The driver and a passenger in the lorry escaped injury.
The cause of the collision is not known and it is understood road and weather conditions were reasonably good in the area at the time of the crash.
The road is likely to remain closed until lunchtime at the earliest.
