Deontre T. Huey Identified as Soldier Killed in Texas Apache Helicopter Crash

Deontre T. Huey, 34, has been identified by Fort Hood as one of the two U.S. Army soldiers killed when an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed near Salado, Texas.

The Army released Huey’s name Friday as the latest update following Wednesday’s fatal helicopter crash.

Huey, of Killeen, Texas, was a Chief Warrant Officer 2 assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

He originally enlisted in the U.S. Army as a motor transport operator and had been assigned to the unit since February 2022.

Deontre T. Huey Killed During Maintenance Test Flight

Huey was aboard the AH-64 Apache with Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, 25, of Belton, when the helicopter went down in a field near Salado shortly after 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The Army said the crew had been conducting a routine maintenance test flight at the time of the crash.

Both Huey and Olmstead were pronounced dead at the scene.

Crash Sparked 155-Acre Wildfire

The helicopter crash also sparked a large grass fire that burned approximately 155 acres, forcing the closure of FM 2843 and prompting evacuations of some nearby residents.

No homes or structures were struck by the aircraft, and the wildfire was largely contained by Wednesday evening.

Fort Hood leadership expressed condolences to Huey’s family and others affected by the tragedy.

“The Army is a family, and a tragedy like this is felt throughout our formations and our community,” Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral said.

The Fort Hood Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the cause of the crash.