Zachary A. Pauley dies in fatal Oklahoma crash
Fatal Oklahoma crash death of Zachary A. Pauley – Obituary
Zachary A. Pauley, 27, of Naperville, Illinois, has been identified as the man who was killed when a semitrailer struck him last month near the Oklahoma-Texas border. The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on March 2 on the shoulder of southbound U.S. Highway 69/75 in Colbert, Oklahoma.
Authorities reported that Pauley remained unidentified for two weeks despite fingerprint and DNA attempts, which proved inconclusive. Law enforcement circulated flyers showing his face and distinctive tattoos while continuing the investigation. His mother, Dawn DeGraff, described the two-week period as “15 agonizing days” and created a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs and the return of his remains to Illinois.
Investigators believe Pauley stepped into the road and was struck by the semitrailer, which was later traced to Lion BG of Bolingbrook. The driver returned to the scene but did not travel far enough to assist immediately. Authorities are coordinating with the trucking company and legal representatives regarding the crash.
Pauley, a 2016 graduate of Naperville Central High School, was active in football and wrestling and earned the rank of Life Scout. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and caring for animals. After high school, he served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation mechanic. He is survived by his four parents and five siblings. Any remaining GoFundMe contributions will be donated to support homeless veterans.