Adailton Alves Pereira, a retired major with the Fire Department and pastor in Palmas, died at 53 after losing control of a truck that overturned on the BR-153 highway in Guaraí, in north-central Tocantins. The state Public Security Secretariat said heavy rain was falling at the time of the crash.
Firefighters rescued Pereira and took him to the Regional Hospital of Araguaína, where he died from his injuries on November 1. A funeral procession was held in Palmas on November 2, attended by firefighters, relatives and friends.
Pereira is survived by his wife, Ione Lime, and their four daughters. Lime said he devoted part of his life to religion and helping others. He also took an active role in educating students at civic-military schools in partnership with the Fire Department.
Lime described her husband as caring and charismatic, saying the couple had been married for 28 years. They enjoyed travelling together and had discussed a truck trip the day before the crash, but did not go. Pereira set out the following day with a friend.
He served as a pastor at the Assembly of God church in Aureny III, Palmas. The church expressed condolences to his family and friends, saying his religious work would be remembered with respect and gratitude.
Pastor Marcírio Martins, who worked alongside Pereira for several years, said he took pride in saving lives and supporting children at schools. Municipal authorities and local schools also issued tributes, citing his contribution to the education of children and teenagers.
Sources: G1.